Ferry near Bali sinks; four dead, 38 missing as rescuers battle rough seas to find survivors.
In Short:
The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry sank near Bali, resulting in four deaths and 38 missing, with rescue operations ongoing under challenging conditions. Authorities believe adverse weather caused the accident, and while 23 survivors were found, concerns over the accuracy of the passenger manifest persist.
Rescue operations are underway following the sinking of the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry near Bali, Indonesia, which resulted in four confirmed deaths and 38 people reported missing.
The ferry sank shortly after departing from Ketapang port in East Java on Wednesday night, en route to Gilimanuk port in Bali. Authorities state that the vessel was carrying 65 people, including 53 passengers and 12 crew members, alongside 22 vehicles. Rescuers successfully recovered four bodies and located 23 survivors, many of whom were found unconscious after spending hours in turbulent waters.
President Prabowo Subianto has ordered an emergency response, attributing the accident to adverse weather conditions. The nationalities of the passengers have not been officially released, but reports indicate all were Indonesian, with doubts raised about whether the manifest accurately represented the number of individuals on board.
Nine rescue boats, including tug and inflatable vessels, are currently deployed in the search, facing challenges from strong currents and winds. Survivors reportedly used lifeboats to escape before being rescued early Thursday.
Ferry accidents are not uncommon in Indonesia, where safety regulations are sometimes overlooked. This incident follows another tragic sinking earlier this year near Sulawesi, which resulted in at least 15 fatalities. The search for the missing passengers continues amid fears that the total number could exceed initial estimates.
