At least six dead, dozens missing after ferry sinks off Bali, Indonesia
A ferry carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members sank late Wednesday night in the waters off Bali, Indonesia, resulting in at least six confirmed deaths and leaving dozens reported missing. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities work to locate survivors and investigate the cause of the tragedy.
The vessel was en route from Banyuwangi on the eastern coast of Java Island to the popular tourist destination of Bali when it went down at approximately 23:20 local time (15:35 GMT), according to the Surabaya office of Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency. So far, 31 survivors have been rescued and brought to safety.
However, the official passenger manifest listing 65 people may not be fully accurate. Several families of those missing have reported that their relatives’ names were not included on the official list, raising concerns that the number of people on board could be higher. Discrepancies between actual passenger numbers and official manifests are a frequent issue in Indonesia, often complicating rescue efforts and victim identification.
Many of the survivors are residents of Banyuwangi, the port town from where the ferry departed, while others come from inland areas of Java. Survivors recounted harrowing experiences as the ferry suddenly tilted sharply multiple times before capsizing. Imron, a resident of Banyuwangi, described how the vessel capsized quickly after tilting three times and how he escaped by swimming through a gap and reaching a life jacket before being rescued by a fisherman. Another survivor, Bejo Santoso, said he jumped off the ferry just three minutes after it began rolling and managed to grab a life jacket.
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, currently on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, has ordered an immediate emergency response to assist with the rescue and relief efforts.
The ferry’s route across the Bali Strait is one of Indonesia’s busiest waterways, regularly used by locals traveling between the islands of Java and Bali. Marine accidents are unfortunately common in Indonesia’s vast archipelago of approximately 17,000 islands. Safety regulation enforcement is often uneven, contributing to frequent maritime incidents. In a recent similar tragedy in March, an Australian tourist died after a boat capsized off Bali.
Photographs released by Indonesia’s Antara news agency show ambulances on standby and anxious residents waiting at the roadside for updates on loved ones.
Authorities are continuing the search and rescue operation and have launched an investigation into the exact circumstances that led to the ferry’s sinking.
Key Points:
- Ferry sank on route from Banyuwangi (Java) to Bali on Wednesday night
- At least six confirmed dead, dozens missing, 31 survivors rescued
- Official manifest lists 65 aboard, but actual passenger numbers may be higher
- Survivors report rapid capsizing after sharp tilting of the vessel
- President orders emergency response amid ongoing rescue and investigation
- Marine accidents are frequent in Indonesia due to lax safety enforcement
The situation remains fluid, and authorities urge anyone with information or concerns about passengers to come forward to assist the ongoing response efforts.
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