Bali ferry disaster leaves four dead, dozens missing in Indonesia waters

At least four people have died, and 30 others remain missing after a ferry carrying 65 people sank in the Bali Strait late Wednesday night, authorities in Indonesia confirmed. The vessel, KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, was en route from Banyuwangi on Java’s eastern coast to the northern port of Bali, a popular tourist destination.

Search efforts underway

Thirty-one people have been rescued so far, many of whom were found unconscious after drifting for hours in rough seas, according to Banyuwangi police chief Rama Samtama Putra. The ferry, which carried 53 passengers, 12 crew members, and 22 vehicles, sank approximately 25 minutes after it departed.

Nine rescue vessels, including tugboats and inflatable boats, have been deployed to locate the missing passengers, but strong waves up to two meters high and overnight darkness have hampered efforts. Four survivors managed to escape using the ferry’s lifeboat and were found early Thursday.

Cause of sinking and official response

While the exact cause of the accident remains unclear, Indonesia’s cabinet secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya attributed it to “bad weather.” President Prabowo Subianto, currently on a trip to Saudi Arabia, has called for an immediate emergency response to assist in rescue operations.

It is not yet known if any foreign nationals were aboard the ferry. Authorities are also investigating whether the passenger manifest accurately reflected the number of people onboard, as discrepancies are common in Indonesia’s maritime transport system.

Marine safety concerns

This tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about marine safety in Indonesia, an archipelago of 17,000 islands. Poor safety standards and adverse weather often contribute to accidents.

In March, a boat capsized off Bali, killing an Australian woman and injuring others. In 2018, over 150 people drowned when a ferry sank in Lake Toba, one of the world’s deepest lakes, on the island of Sumatra. These recurring incidents underscore the pressing need for improved safety measures in the country’s vast maritime network.

As rescue efforts continue, Indonesia mourns yet another maritime disaster, a sobering reminder of the dangers facing travelers in its waters.