LEGIAN ~ A passenger boat sank while travelling from Kusamba Beach on Bali’s eastern coast to the nearby islet of Nusa Penida on Wednesday, killing nine people, an official said.

Three people were missing after the boat capsized and sank, Health Ministry crisis centre official Wihartama said.

“Nine people died. Three people are missing and another 13 were taken to hospital,” he said.

The nationality of those on board the boat was not immediately known, nor what caused the craft to sink.