Rescuers search for 11 missing after speedboat capsized in western Indonesia
Seven people, including the two crew members, were rescued and were in stable condition after drifting in the choppy waters for hours, said Lahmudin, who heads the local Disaster Management Agency.
The boat capsized in the Sipora Strait after leaving Sikakap, a town in the Mentawai Islands district in West Sumatra province, at midday, said Lahmudin, who like many Indonesians uses a single name. It was bound for the neighboring town of Tuapejat, a trip of less than two hours.
The boat was carrying 16 passengers, mostly local administration officials, and two crew members. The 11 people missing included three children and a local parliamentarian.
'Authorities are still investigating the cause of the accident, but survivors said the boat was hit by high waves in a sudden storm,' Lahmudin said.
A rescue ship and an inflatable boat were searched for survivors with assistance from fishermen and people onshore, said Rudi, the local search and rescue agency chief who also goes by a single name.
Videos released by the National Search and Rescue Agency showed the search taking place overnight on rough seas as rain fell.
Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands where ferries are a common method of travel. Accidents occur regularly, with weak safety enforcement often blamed.
A ferry sank near Indonesia's resort island of Bali early this month, leaving at least 18 death and 17 missing after a two-week search operation that involving more than 1,000 rescuers, three navy ships, 15 boats, a helicopter and divers officially closed Monday.
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San Francisco Chronicle
18 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
The grueling 135-mile journey of a 66-year-old runner through one of the hottest places on Earth
DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — When the running gets hard in this desert dubbed 'hell on Earth,' Danny Westergaard tells himself: 'Slow and steady' or 'smooth as butter.' For 18 years, Westergaard, 66, has braved the scorching summer heat of California's Death Valley in an ultramarathon billed as the world's toughest. Last week, 99 runners from across the globe embarked on a grueling 135 mile (217.26 kilometer) competition from the lowest point below sea level of North America to the trailhead of the highest peak in the contiguous U.S. They had 48 hours to do it. Few have completed the competition as many times as Westergaard, though finishing is not a given. 'It's just become like a summer ritual and a family reunion," he said. 'I feel at home when I'm here. It's my tribe.' For the 37th year, the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon challenged athletes to withstand stretches of this dry, searing desert. The race takes place in July, when temperatures have soared into the 130s F (54.44s C). Even as a place of extremes, Death Valley is not immune to global warming. Seven of its hottest summers have occurred in the past 10 years, according to the National Park Service. And if planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current pace, more places could experience its broiling temperatures. Over two days, Westergaard would trek up and down mountain ranges, past sand dunes and salt flats, through quaint towns and vast desertscapes amid temperatures as high as 117 F (47.22 C). He tried to smile throughout, even when he felt miserable. 'It just lifts you up,' he said of smiling so others smile back. First night: The race begins At 8 p.m., the first wave of runners take off. Westergaard jogs up a ramp into the pale light of dusk. It's 113 F (45 C), and it feels like a blow dryer to the face. Leap frogging in a van behind him is his cheer squad and support crew – Jennifer Drain, his smiley cousin back for the 17th year, and daughters Meagan, who has attended before, and Madison, a first timer. The crew, who playfully call Westergaard "wiener dog,' are hauling everything he needs: food, ice, water, electrolytes. This heat can kill. Soaring body temperatures can lead to organ failure and strain the heart, especially for people with heart disease, and cause heat stroke. To prevent that they keep him cool. They spray mist on him and pour ice into his hat and a bandana wrapped around his neck. His drinking water is ice cold. A few hours in, Meagan asks her dad if he's peed. 'Long stream," he responded of his amount of urine. Staying hydrated is critical. As he sweats, he's losing liquids that can critically stress kidneys if not replenished. Dehydration can cause organs to fail from lack of blood, oxygen and nutrients, leading to seizures and death. No runners have died doing the competition, but heat-related issues are common, said Megan Dell, the race's medical director. Stomach issues can lead to vomiting and dehydration. Hyponatremia — which happens when your blood's sodium is too low — has sent runners to the hospital. Westergaard has learned to embrace the rollercoaster. One moment he feels like Superman — the next he could be throwing up on the side of the road, questioning if he'll make it. 'You just suck it up, just like in life, and get through the lows, and it always gets better.' The next day: Running through 'the oven' The runners dash toward mile 50.8 (81.75 kilometers), the critical cut off point they must get to by 10 a.m. or be eliminated. The sun is peaking over the mountains, casting a warm glow over dune fields. It's 85 F (29.44 C). 'Living the dream, ey?' Westergaard said with a smile, his perky strut now a droopy shuffle. He pours water on his face and arms and munches some watermelon. Madison paces behind him as they crack jokes. 'Get er done! Junior wiener in training!' Meagan yelled. Westergaard makes it to the cut off point before 9 a.m. It's 90 F (32.2 C). Mile 56 (90.12 kilometers): After moving for 14 hours straight, Westergaard rests and eats some avocado toast. 'Great! Let's motor!' he said after 10 minutes sitting on a chair. Miles later, he begins his descent into 'the oven' that is Panamint Valley, usually the hottest part of the race during the hottest part of the day. It's 96 F (35.56 C) and the heat sizzles from above and below. Westergaard runs on the white line on the road because it's cooler. In hotter years, the asphalt got so hot the bottoms of his shoes felt sticky on the ground. Westergaard trains year round to acclimate to the heat. As he gets older, he doesn't tolerate heat as well and has slowed down. His two-hour sauna sessions are now one, and he runs a few times a week instead of daily. 'I'm just out there longer,' he said, 'but still getting it done.' Tony Wolf, kinesiology professor at the University of Georgia, said aging adults generally have reduced heart function compared to younger adults. When combined with the cardiovascular demand of exercise and heat stress, it can cause difficulties. There isn't much research about how the bodies of fit older adults, including competitive athletes, regulate internal temperature. 'There aren't a ton of people in their 60s and older who are doing those kinds of events,' said Wolf. Studies focused on adults before and after a training program found that exercise improved heart function and thermoregulation. That could suggest that the heart and thermoregulation impairments linked to aging are largely mitigated by lifelong fitness, Wolf said. Second night: Sleepy hallucinations The runners are spread out now, their flashing lights twinkling in the distance. This night is the toughest for Westergaard as sleep deprivation sets in. He zigzags on the road, barely awake. The runners ahead of him look like they're running toward him. In past years, his hallucinations have included people luring him to rest on couches that were actually bushes. Another time, he struck up a conversation with a kid skateboarding by him with a dog. And once, he watched for hours as a guy swung off the edge of the crescent moon, waving down at him. 'It was just clear as day,' Westergaard said of the hallucination. At 3:10 a.m. at mile 98 (157.72 kilometers), he sleeps for 15 minutes under the moonlight. 'No one really quite understands' why he does this, said Madison. Final day: The push toward the finish At 11:50 a.m. and around mile 123 (197.95 kilometers), Westergaard shuffles through the town of Lone Pine. Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the continental U.S., soars some 14,500 feet (4,420 meters) into the blue sky. A crowd claps and cheers as he runs by. 'Go Danny, go!' yelled a man. It's 92 F (33.33 C) as he approaches the final 4,750 foot (1,447.8 meters) mountain ascent to the finish line. Westergaard is walking at a snail's pace and says he's falling asleep. But his smile hasn't waned. 'We've come a long way,' Westergaard said, Madison pacing behind and spraying him. 'Long way for a burger!' she responded. They giggle while thinking about the veggie burger they'll buy upon finishing. Then he does, crossing the finish line with his crew at exactly 45 hours and 29 minutes. It was his most special Badwater 135 race by far, he says misty eyed, having Meagan and Madison at his side. ___
Hamilton Spectator
19 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
The grueling 135-mile journey of a 66-year-old runner through one of the hottest places on Earth
DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — When the running gets hard in this desert dubbed 'hell on Earth,' Danny Westergaard tells himself: 'Slow and steady' or 'smooth as butter.' For 18 years, Westergaard, 66, has braved the scorching summer heat of California's Death Valley in an ultramarathon billed as the world's toughest. Last week, 99 runners from across the globe embarked on a grueling 135 mile (217.26 kilometer) competition from the lowest point below sea level of North America to the trailhead of the highest peak in the contiguous U.S. They had 48 hours to do it. Few have completed the competition as many times as Westergaard, though finishing is not a given. 'It's just become like a summer ritual and a family reunion,' he said. 'I feel at home when I'm here. It's my tribe.' For the 37th year, the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon challenged athletes to withstand stretches of this dry, searing desert. The race takes place in July, when temperatures have soared into the 130s F (54.44s C). Even as a place of extremes, Death Valley is not immune to global warming. Seven of its hottest summers have occurred in the past 10 years, according to the National Park Service. And if planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current pace, more places could experience its broiling temperatures. Over two days, Westergaard would trek up and down mountain ranges, past sand dunes and salt flats, through quaint towns and vast desertscapes amid temperatures as high as 117 F (47.22 C). He tried to smile throughout, even when he felt miserable. 'It just lifts you up,' he said of smiling so others smile back. First night: The race begins At 8 p.m., the first wave of runners take off. Westergaard jogs up a ramp into the pale light of dusk. It's 113 F (45 C), and it feels like a blow dryer to the face. Leap frogging in a van behind him is his cheer squad and support crew – Jennifer Drain, his smiley cousin back for the 17th year, and daughters Meagan, who has attended before, and Madison, a first timer. The crew, who playfully call Westergaard 'wiener dog,' are hauling everything he needs: food, ice, water, electrolytes. This heat can kill . Soaring body temperatures can lead to organ failure and strain the heart, especially for people with heart disease, and cause heat stroke. To prevent that they keep him cool. They spray mist on him and pour ice into his hat and a bandana wrapped around his neck. His drinking water is ice cold. A few hours in, Meagan asks her dad if he's peed. 'Long stream,' he responded of his amount of urine. Staying hydrated is critical. As he sweats, he's losing liquids that can critically stress kidneys if not replenished. Dehydration can cause organs to fail from lack of blood, oxygen and nutrients, leading to seizures and death. No runners have died doing the competition, but heat-related issues are common, said Megan Dell, the race's medical director. Stomach issues can lead to vomiting and dehydration. Hyponatremia — which happens when your blood's sodium is too low — has sent runners to the hospital. Westergaard has learned to embrace the rollercoaster. One moment he feels like Superman — the next he could be throwing up on the side of the road, questioning if he'll make it. 'You just suck it up, just like in life, and get through the lows, and it always gets better.' The next day: Running through 'the oven' The runners dash toward mile 50.8 (81.75 kilometers), the critical cut off point they must get to by 10 a.m. or be eliminated. The sun is peaking over the mountains, casting a warm glow over dune fields. It's 85 F (29.44 C). 'Living the dream, ey?' Westergaard said with a smile, his perky strut now a droopy shuffle. He pours water on his face and arms and munches some watermelon. Madison paces behind him as they crack jokes. 'Get er done! Junior wiener in training!' Meagan yelled. Westergaard makes it to the cut off point before 9 a.m. It's 90 F (32.2 C). Mile 56 (90.12 kilometers): After moving for 14 hours straight, Westergaard rests and eats some avocado toast. 'Great! Let's motor!' he said after 10 minutes sitting on a chair. Miles later, he begins his descent into 'the oven' that is Panamint Valley, usually the hottest part of the race during the hottest part of the day. It's 96 F (35.56 C) and the heat sizzles from above and below. Westergaard runs on the white line on the road because it's cooler. In hotter years, the asphalt got so hot the bottoms of his shoes felt sticky on the ground. Westergaard trains year round to acclimate to the heat. As he gets older, he doesn't tolerate heat as well and has slowed down. His two-hour sauna sessions are now one, and he runs a few times a week instead of daily. 'I'm just out there longer,' he said, 'but still getting it done.' Tony Wolf, kinesiology professor at the University of Georgia, said aging adults generally have reduced heart function compared to younger adults. When combined with the cardiovascular demand of exercise and heat stress, it can cause difficulties. There isn't much research about how the bodies of fit older adults, including competitive athletes, regulate internal temperature. 'There aren't a ton of people in their 60s and older who are doing those kinds of events,' said Wolf. Studies focused on adults before and after a training program found that exercise improved heart function and thermoregulation. That could suggest that the heart and thermoregulation impairments linked to aging are largely mitigated by lifelong fitness, Wolf said. Second night: Sleepy hallucinations The runners are spread out now, their flashing lights twinkling in the distance. This night is the toughest for Westergaard as sleep deprivation sets in. He zigzags on the road, barely awake. The runners ahead of him look like they're running toward him. In past years, his hallucinations have included people luring him to rest on couches that were actually bushes. Another time, he struck up a conversation with a kid skateboarding by him with a dog. And once, he watched for hours as a guy swung off the edge of the crescent moon, waving down at him. 'It was just clear as day,' Westergaard said of the hallucination. At 3:10 a.m. at mile 98 (157.72 kilometers), he sleeps for 15 minutes under the moonlight. 'No one really quite understands' why he does this, said Madison. Final day: The push toward the finish At 11:50 a.m. and around mile 123 (197.95 kilometers), Westergaard shuffles through the town of Lone Pine. Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the continental U.S., soars some 14,500 feet (4,420 meters) into the blue sky. A crowd claps and cheers as he runs by. 'Go Danny, go!' yelled a man. It's 92 F (33.33 C) as he approaches the final 4,750 foot (1,447.8 meters) mountain ascent to the finish line. Westergaard is walking at a snail's pace and says he's falling asleep. But his smile hasn't waned. 'We've come a long way,' Westergaard said, Madison pacing behind and spraying him. 'Long way for a burger!' she responded. They giggle while thinking about the veggie burger they'll buy upon finishing. Then he does, crossing the finish line with his crew at exactly 45 hours and 29 minutes. It was his most special Badwater 135 race by far, he says misty eyed, having Meagan and Madison at his side. ___ The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP's environmental coverage, visit
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan kill 54 people in 24 hours
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Heavy monsoon rains killed at least 54 people in eastern Pakistan in 24 hours, bringing the total rain-related deaths in the country to 178 over the past three weeks, officials said Thursday. Rainfall has triggered flash floods and inundated several villages as the country experiences 82% more rainfall this month compared to the same period in July 2024, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said. Since June 26, Pakistan has reported 178 deaths from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the northwest, Sindh in the south and Balochistan in the southwest, officials said. The 54 deaths in the past day occurred in Punjab province, which received 124% more rainfall between July 1 and July 15 than the same period the previous year, forecasters said. Heavy downpours continued Thursday, flooding streets in several urban areas including Rawalpindi and Lahore. Cloudburst in the Jhelum district in Punjab triggered flash flooding, prompting authorities to use boats to evacuate dozens of people. The National Disaster Management Authority issued an updated flood alert Thursday and urged local officials to remain on high alert. Tourists were advised to avoid travel to affected areas where rains could trigger landslides and block highways. Television news footage Thursday showed an army helicopter plucking three members of a family from the roof of their house after they were stranded by a flash flood on the outskirts of Rawalpindi city. More rain is expected in the capital Islamabad, Pakistan-administered Kashmir and other parts of the country, the meteorological department reported. Authorities have warned they cannot rule out a repeat of extreme weather like the 2022 floods that inundated a third of the country, killing 1,737 people. Solve the daily Crossword
