Rescue efforts are currently underway for 43 individuals missing at sea after a ferry sank near Bali, Indonesia, overnight. The vessel, known as the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, had set sail from the Ketapang port in East Java and was en route to the Gilimanuk port in Bali, a journey of approximately 50 kilometres.
The ferry, which was carrying a total of 65 individuals—including 53 passengers and 12 crew members—capsized less than 30 minutes after departure, as confirmed by the National Search and Rescue Agency. The ferry was also transporting 22 vehicles, amongst which were 14 trucks.
Authorities have so far recovered two bodies and successfully rescued 20 survivors, many of whom were found unconscious after being adrift in rough waters for several hours. Banyuwangi police chief, Rama Samtama Putra, reported on the challenging conditions faced by rescuers. Nine boats, including two tugboats and inflatable craft, have been deployed to search for the missing individuals, contending with waves reaching up to two metres throughout the night.
Ferry accidents are not uncommon in Indonesia, an archipelago comprising over 17,000 islands, where maritime transport plays a crucial role. Unfortunately, safety regulations are frequently overlooked, contributing to such tragedies.