JAKARTA -- Rescuers have recovered four bodies and are searching for scores of missing persons after a boat carrying nearly 100 people sank in waters off North Maluku province of eastern Indonesia on Thursday, local disaster agency official said.

A total of 77 people have been rescued alive and now are being treated at a nearby hospital for their injuries, Amirruddin, a senior official at the provincial disaster management agency said.

"Personnel from search and rescue office and disaster agency are searching for the missing persons now," he told Xinhua by phone.

Wooden boat KM Karamando heading for Jailolo sub-district of Halmahera Barat district capsized in waters off Tauro Island of the district after departing from a seaport in Ternate town, Amirruddin said.

"The boat suffering from engine failure when huge waves and strong winds hit the waters," he disclosed.

Ten children were among the people on board, the official added.

He said that the number of people on board exceeded the manifest of 67.