A tragic ferry accident off the coast of Bali has left four people dead and 38 missing, while 23 survivors have been rescued, according to Indonesia’s Search and Rescue Agency on Thursday.
The ferry, KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, sank late Wednesday evening, 30 minutes after departing from the port of Banyuwangi in East Java province en route to Bali. The vessel was carrying a total of 65 people—53 passengers and 12 crew—as well as 22 vehicles.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing but are being hindered by strong ocean currents and high winds, the agency said.
Ferries are a common mode of transport in Indonesia, which spans over 17,000 islands. However, ferry accidents remain frequent due to poor enforcement of safety regulations, overloading, and insufficient life-saving equipment.
The incident is a grim reminder of past tragedies, including a 2023 ferry capsizing near Sulawesi island that claimed at least 15 lives. Authorities continue efforts to locate the missing and determine the cause of the latest disaster.
