Indonesian ferry fire 'kills 16'

A fire on an Indonesian ferry has killed at least 16 people with a number still unaccounted for, according to reports.

Levina 1 caught fire out at sea after leaving the capital Jakarta on the way to the island of Bangka.

Passengers jumped from the strewn vessel and a rescue operation was launched to help people stranded in the water.

Yas Rijal, a passenger on the boat along with his wife and son, told the Associated Press: "It was terrifying. Suddenly flames burst from the lower deck.

"The crew ordered us to put on yellow life vests and we jumped."

Associated Press reported that Indonesia's transport minister told el-Shinta radio that 15 bodies had been recovered and 275 people were rescued.

The rescue operation consisted of two warships, three helicopters, a tug boat and nine cargo ships.

Ferries are a popular method of transport from island to island within Indonesia. In December last year a vessel sank near Java, killing more than 400 people.