Indonesia scaled down the search Tuesday for 230 people missing more than two days after a ferry capsized off Sulawesi, even as survivors continued to be plucked from the treacherous Makassar Strait, ANTARA reported. High winds and rough seas continued to pound the strait between Sulawesi and Borneo islands where the 700-tonne Teratai Prima capsized and sank with 267 people on board early Sunday. Smaller vessels were ordered to give up the search and only four navy warships and two patrol boats continued to look for survivors in the strait, known for strong currents and unpredictable seas. "We are facing very bad weather and rough seas. We don't want to take any risks by sending small boats," transport ministry maritime official Sunaryo said. Officials said 35 people had been rescued since the alert was raised late Sunday and only two bodies had been found, leaving 230 people missing feared dead. Senior officials have said there is little hope any of the missing passengers and crew will be found alive more than 48 hours after the ferry was hit by a powerful monsoonal storm 50 kilometers (30 miles) off Sulawesi.
