JAKARTA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Eight people were killed after a speedboat carrying 30 passengers sank in the waters off Seram Bagian Barat regency in Indonesia's eastern Maluku Province on Friday, according to the head of the provincial search and rescue office, Muhammad Arafah.

Arafah said that the speedboat, Dua Nona, struck a piece of wood floating on the water's surface at approximately 10:00 a.m. local time, which caused damage to the boat's hull.

"Eight people were killed," Arafah told Xinhua over phone.

He noted that the accident occurred shortly after the boat departed from a seaport in the regency, enroute to Ambon City, the provincial capital.

Search and rescue operations were ongoing, involving personnel from the local search and rescue office, water police, boats from the local health department, and community volunteers.

Arafah added that poor communication has hindered coordination among the rescuers. Enditem

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