At least eight people died and dozens others drowned on Wednesday when a ship carrying more than 200 passengers sank after colliding with a tanker off Lampung on the island of Sumatra. Bahuga Jaya ship sailed from the port of Merak on Java Island and collided with the tanker, marine Norr Gastar, which led to the ship deadly sinking, Indonesian Metro TV reported. Eight passengers died but 215 others were rescued, Metro TV said. Rescue teams are still searching for dozens missing -- registered as passenger in records of the vessel. It was speculated that the accident happened due to bad weather or failure of abiding by safety guidelines. Maritime transport is the state most important means of transportation with 17,000 islands and a population of approximately 235 million.