American Tourist Shares Harrowing Experience of Surviving Sinking Ferry in Bali

Incident Overview

An American tourist has bravely recounted her near-death experience during the terrifying capsizing of a ferry in Bali on June 4, 2025. The incident took place near Nusa Lembongan when a significant wave struck the vessel, leading it to tilt and ultimately sink while carrying 89 passengers and crew members. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties, and all passengers were evacuated successfully.

The Sinking Ferry

The ferry, known as The Tanis, was embarking on a routine journey between Nusa Lembongan and Sanur Port when disaster struck around 4:30 p.m. local time. Local authorities reported that the sudden wave caused the ferry to lose its balance, leading to a quick and frightening descent into the sea. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as the boat filled with water, and passengers attempted to escape.

Survivor’s Story

Lauren Dague, a 24-year-old from the United States, was among those on board. She had been celebrating her birthday in Bali when she found herself faced with a life-threatening situation. Dague shared her experience during an interview with Good Morning America, stating, "It felt like five minutes that it took for the entire boat to sink." Desperate to escape, she smashed through a window with her foot. "I didn’t even think twice about it. And I know for a fact I saved at least three to five, six other people with my decision."

Dague described the atmosphere on the ferry as frantic, mentioning the presence of families, including small children and elderly passengers. "Everyone was panicking," she recalled, noting that many were attempting to jump to nearby boats as the situation worsened.

Accounts from Other Passengers

Other passengers also shared their harrowing experiences. Nicola Wood, an Australian tourist traveling with her family, recounted the race to safety as they jumped into the water to reach a nearby glass-bottom boat. “Luggage is still washing up and being collected by Tanis staff,” she noted as she and her family made it back to shore.

Another passenger, Megan Hughes, a fellow Australian, described how she initially did not grasp the severity of the situation due to wearing headphones. Once she heard the screams of others and noticed water rising, chaos ensued as people fought to escape through the windows. "Glass was going everywhere. Kids were screaming. People who couldn’t swim as well were screaming and grabbing any life jacket they could find. We were scrambling over each other to get out the window,” Hughes explained.

Emergency Response

Klungklung Police spokesperson AKP Agus Widiono confirmed that all passengers were evacuated by 6:30 p.m. local time. "We have dispatched divers to ensure no one was trapped on the boat or on the seabed," Widiono reported. Despite the drama, no casualties were reported, and both foreign and Indonesian tourists were provided assistance following the incident.

Aftermath and Reflections

Although Dague and other survivors are left with physical bruises and emotional scars, they express gratitude for their survival. "I really did think that I was gonna die for a second," Dague reflected, but she feels fortunate that everyone emerged safely from the ordeal.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of nature and the essential importance of safety protocols in maritime travel, especially during excursions that involve large groups of tourists. The ferry accident highlights not only the bravery of the individuals who acted swiftly to save themselves and others but also the necessity for ongoing improvements in safety measures on passenger vessels.

As shaking as this experience was for those involved, it reinforces the resilience of human compassion and the instinct to protect one another in times of crisis.