At Least 5 Dead and 29 Missing After Ferry Sinks Near Bali
Rescuers in Indonesia are urgently searching for 29 people who went missing after a ferry sank en route to the popular resort island of Bali, leaving at least five confirmed dead. The tragic incident occurred late Wednesday night amid rough sea conditions, highlighting ongoing concerns about maritime safety in the region.
Details of the Incident
The ferry, identified as the KMT Tunu Pratama Jaya, departed shortly before 11 p.m. local time from a port on Java, Indonesia’s main island. Onboard were 53 passengers and 12 crew members, making a total of 65 people. The journey to Bali typically takes less than an hour, but distress call signals sent by the ferry crew at 11:20 p.m. indicated trouble. The ferry subsequently sank just 15 minutes later, according to officials.
Search and rescue operations, coordinated out of Surabaya in East Java, have so far recovered the bodies of five Indonesians by Thursday morning. Efforts continue amid challenging conditions, with waves reportedly exceeding six feet. By early Thursday afternoon, 31 survivors were rescued from the water. The search includes nine boats, a helicopter, and assistance from local fishermen braving the rough seas.
Families Awaiting News
At the Banyuwangi port in East Java, anxious family members gathered, awaiting news on the missing passengers. The authorities have not yet determined the cause of the sinking, and investigations are ongoing.
Ferry Safety Concerns in Indonesia
Maritime accidents are unfortunately common in Indonesia, an archipelago comprising over 17,000 islands with crucial reliance on ferry transport for connectivity. This sinking incident marks the second ferry disaster near Bali in just one month. In early June, another passenger ferry capsized shortly after departing a Bali port; thankfully, all 89 people aboard were rescued in that event.
Bali’s Tourist Importance
Bali remains a significant tourist destination, attracting over six million international visitors last year alone. Safety on transport routes to and from the island is therefore a critical concern for both locals and travelers alike.
Indonesian officials continue to investigate and manage rescue operations as they seek to bring closure to families impacted by this tragedy. Further updates are expected as the search progresses.
Reporting by Muktita Suhartono in Bangkok and Francesca Regalado for The New York Times.
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