A ferry capsized in a severe storm in central Indonesia on Sunday, with around 250 people feared dead.

Officials from Pare-pare, on the west coast of Sulawesi Island, where the ferry began its journey, say 18 survivors have been pulled out by fishing boats, but the fate of the others remain unknown.

About 250 passengers and 17 crew are believed to have been onboard the ferry when it sank 50 kilometers off the coast of western Sulawesi.

The ferry's captain was among those rescued. He later said that around 150 people jumped off the vessel before it sank, but he didn't know what happened to them.

The Transport Ministry says rescue operations are being hampered by high waves and bad weather.

(CCTV January 12, 2009)