Six Dead and Dozens Missing After Ferry Sinks Off Bali Coast
At least six people have died and dozens remain missing following the sinking of a ferry off the coast of Indonesia’s popular tourist island, Bali. The tragic incident occurred late Wednesday night as the vessel was en route from Banyuwangi on Java’s eastern coast to Bali.
Incident Details and Rescue Efforts
According to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency based in Surabaya, the ferry carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members sank at approximately 23:20 local time (15:35 GMT). As of now, 31 survivors have been pulled from the water, but the search for those unaccounted for continues in the Bali Strait.
Eyewitness and survivor accounts suggest the ferry capsized rapidly after listing sharply three times, with seawater entering the passenger cabin during the third tilt. One survivor, Imron from Banyuwangi, described swimming through a gap in the ferry’s structure before finding a life jacket and being rescued by a passing fisherman. Another survivor, Bejo Santoso, said he jumped off the vessel just before it went down, managing to grab hold of a life jacket in time.
Passenger Manifests and Investigation
Authorities have expressed concern over discrepancies in the official passenger manifest. Families of some missing individuals report their loved ones’ names are not on the list of 65 people recorded onboard. Such inconsistencies are unfortunately common in Indonesia’s ferry sector, complicating rescue operations and efforts to identify victims.
An official investigation is underway to determine the cause of the ferry’s sudden sinking. The ferry’s route is a frequently traveled one, heavily used by locals commuting between Java and Bali.
Official Response and Context
President Prabowo Subianto, currently on an official trip in Saudi Arabia, has ordered an immediate emergency response to assist with the search and rescue efforts.
Marine accidents like this are not uncommon in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands where enforcing maritime safety regulations remains a challenge. This tragedy follows other recent incidents, including the death of an Australian woman in March after another boat capsized near Bali.
Community Impact
Photos released by Indonesian news agencies show ambulances on standby and anxious residents gathering by the roadside for updates on the search.
Many of those onboard, both survivors and the missing, hail from coastal towns like Banyuwangi as well as from inland areas of Java. The ferry disaster is a somber reminder of the perils faced in one of the world’s busiest and most complex maritime regions.
Reporting from Singapore and Jakarta – BBC News
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