Ferry Disaster Off Bali Claims Lives, Dozens Missing
Search and rescue efforts continue after vessel sinks en route from Java.
Tragedy struck off the coast of Bali, Indonesia, as a ferry sank, leaving at least four dead and dozens still unaccounted for. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate survivors.
The Incident
The ferry, carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members, went down at 11:20 p.m. local time Wednesday (3:35 p.m. GMT) while traveling from Banyuwangi on Java’s eastern coast to Bali, according to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency office in Surabaya. Twenty-nine people have been rescued so far.
Investigation Underway
Officials are currently investigating the cause of the sinking. According to local media, the ferry operator reported engine trouble shortly before the incident.
Many of those rescued are residents of Banyuwangi, a coastal town. Others are from Java’s inland regions, according to a list released by authorities.
Response from Leadership
President Prabowo Subianto, currently on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, has ordered an immediate emergency response.
Busy Route
The route the ferry was using is a heavily trafficked one in Indonesia, used regularly by locals traveling between Java and Bali.
Safety Concerns in Indonesia
Marine accidents are common in Indonesia, an archipelago comprising approximately 17,000 islands. Lax enforcement of safety regulations has been a long-standing problem. For instance, in 2023, there were 1,239 ferry transport accidents recorded across Indonesia, highlighting the urgent need for improved maritime safety (Statista).
In March, an Australian woman died after a boat capsized off Bali with 16 people aboard.
