Rescuers in Dobo regency of Maluccas have decided to extend the period of searching for 23 missing persons after their speed boat sank on Jan. 27 to one more day to Thursday, a rescuer said in Dobo.

An ambulance stands by at the dock in Moluccas islands in eastern Indonesia, Feb. 2, 2010. Rescuers continued to search for the 23 missing passengers of the sunken Dolphin speed boat off Moluccas islands on Tuesday. There were more than 30 people including 24 Chinese citizens on board the Dolphin speed boat when it sank on Jan. 27. [Yue Yuewei/Xinhua]

Under the legal procedure in Indonesia, the searching period takes for seven days after the accident, which means it will end on Wednesday.

"They (rescuers) have made decision to terminate the searching tomorrow," a member of Maluccas rescue team Hendra Salawane told Xinhua.

He said that the searching for the victims in the waters of eastern Indonesia was underway on Wednesday, but unfavorable weather condition still hampered the movement of rescuers, comprising policemen, navy, sailors, those from companies operating in the areas and rescue team of Maluccas.

Salawane reaffirmed that so far two Chinese died and one survived among the five people who could be identified.

Four other bodies were still in Ajir island about 13 miles away from Dobo, there were no data of their identification so far, he said.

Chinese embassy in Jakarta and rescuers have said there were 24 Chinese among the all 33 people on board at the speed boat.

The Dolphin speed boat was sunk one hour after leaving a sea port in Dobo, heading to Tual of Maluccas.

A rescuer takes part in the searching work for the survivors and victims on a sunken boat off Moluccas islands in eastern Indonesia, Feb. 2, 2010. Rescuers continued to search for the 23 missing passengers of the sunken Dolphin speed boat off Moluccas islands on Tuesday. There were more than 30 people including 24 Chinese citizens on board the Dolphin speed boat when it sank on Jan. 27. [Xinhua/Yue Yuewei]