Tragedy at Sea: Six Confirmed Dead and Dozens Missing as Ferry Capsizes Off Bali

Six Dead and Dozens Missing After Ferry Sinks Off Bali, Indonesia

Rescue efforts are underway following a tragic ferry disaster off the coast of Bali, Indonesia, that has left at least six people dead and dozens missing. The ferry, en route from Banyuwangi on the eastern shore of Java island to Bali, sank late Wednesday night, authorities confirmed.

The vessel was carrying an official count of 53 passengers and 12 crew members when it went down at approximately 23:20 local time (15:35 GMT). So far, 31 survivors have been rescued and are receiving care. However, discrepancies between the passenger manifest and actual numbers on board have complicated rescue and identification operations, with families reporting that some victims’ names are not among those officially listed.

Rescue agencies, led by Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency based in Surabaya, have launched an extensive search operation in the Bali Strait, a busy waterway frequently used by locals traveling between Java and Bali. Photos show ambulances and emergency teams standing by, while anxious relatives gather roadside, awaiting news.

Eyewitness accounts from survivors describe a sudden and violent capsizing. One survivor, Imron from Banyuwangi, recounted that the ferry tilted sharply three times before sinking, with seawater flooding the passenger cabin during the ordeal. Imron escaped by swimming through a gap in the ship and was later rescued by a fisherman after finding a life jacket. Another survivor, Bejo Santoso, managed to jump off the ferry before it capsized, securing a life jacket to stay afloat.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns over maritime safety in Indonesia’s vast archipelago of approximately 17,000 islands. Marine accidents remain common due to variable enforcement of safety regulations. Recent months have seen similar tragedies, including a fatal boat capsizing off Bali in March that resulted in the death of an Australian tourist.

President Prabowo Subianto, currently on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, has ordered an immediate emergency response to support the rescue operations. Meanwhile, investigations into the cause of the sinking are ongoing.

As authorities continue searching for the missing passengers, communities on both sides of the Bali Strait face the somber task of coping with the aftermath of this disaster, underscoring the critical need for improved maritime safety measures in Indonesia.