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Scores rescued as ferry sinks

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Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) -- Indonesian search and rescue teams have pulled 115 people from the waters off West Timor, an Indonesian navy commander has said, after a ferry sank in high seas the night before.

Three navy ships and and one plane are taking part in the ongoing rescue operation, Adm. Syahrin Abdurrahman said on Wednesday.

There was no information on any possible death toll, Reuters news agency reported.

The ferry was en route to Roti island from Kupang, about 1,900 km (1,200 miles) east of Jakarta, when it capsized Tuesday evening in waves running two to three meters (six to nine feet) high. The ferry was also carrying cars and motorcycles.

The last known contact with the boat was Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. (7:30 a.m. ET)

Ferries are the most common means of transport for people wishing to travel around the 17,000 islands of the world's largest archipelago, where sea connections are much cheaper and more available than air routes, Reuters reported.

But it said safety standards are not strictly enforced and many ferries are overcrowded.

CNN's Kathy Quiano contributed to this report

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