4 dead, 38 missing after ferry sinks near Bali

A ferry carrying 65 people sank off the coast of Bali late Wednesday, leaving four dead and 38 others missing, Indonesia’s Search and Rescue Agency confirmed on Thursday.

The vessel, KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, departed from Banyuwangi in East Java and sank about 30 minutes into its journey to Bali’s Gilimanuk Port.

According to officials, the ferry was transporting 53 passengers, 12 crew members, and 22 vehicles.

So far, 23 people have been rescued. Search operations are ongoing but are being hindered by rough seas and strong winds.

“Strong currents and bad weather are complicating the rescue efforts,” the agency said in a statement.

Ferries are a common mode of transport across Indonesia’s 17,000+ islands. However, safety issues are widespread, and maritime accidents are frequent due to lax regulations, overloading, and a lack of life-saving equipment.

In 2023, a similar incident near Sulawesi resulted in 15 fatalities after a small ferry capsized.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the latest tragedy.