Indonesia, July 16 -- A search and rescue operation is underway for 24 passengers who remain missing following the accident involving the KM Nurul Salsa in South Sulawesi waters, Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has confirmed.

"The joint SAR team continues searching for the 24 individuals yet to be accounted for," Makassar Basarnas Office Head Muhammad Arif Anwar stated here on Thursday.

Anwar stated that KM Nurul Salsa experienced engine failure after departing from Jampea Island for the Port of Benteng in Selayar Island, Selayar Islands District, on Wednesday (July 15) at 5 a.m. local time.

The ship's last known location, where it suffered engine failure and sank, was west of Polassi Island, some 43 nautical m...