By M10News Asia Correspondent
© M10News 2025 – All Rights Reserved
Bali, Indonesia – A search and rescue operation is underway off the coast of Bali after a ferry sank overnight, leaving at least four people confirmed dead and dozens still missing, according to Indonesian authorities.
The vessel, Tunu Pratama Jaya, went down late Thursday while sailing between Ketapang port in Java and Gilimanuk port in Bali, a busy one-hour route frequently used by vehicles and local commuters. Rescue officials say rough weather and strong currents contributed to the disaster.
Survivors Recall Horror at Sea
Of the 31 people reportedly on board, only a fraction have been rescued so far. One survivor, Eka Toniansyah, shared his harrowing experience:
“The ferry tilted and immediately sank. Most of the passengers were from Indonesia. I was with my father. My father is dead.”
Another survivor, Supardi, said the ship sank so quickly that passengers had no time to react.
“I thought I would jump into the sea, but the water rushed in so fast that I sank with the ship,” he recalled.
He and three others floated with life jackets through the night. “By morning, one of us had died,” he said.
Search Hampered by Rough Conditions
Indonesia’s Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency) has deployed 13 divers, a helicopter, and several boats to locate the remaining victims. However, efforts have been severely hindered by strong currents and adverse weather conditions.
Footage released by Basarnas showed the body of a victim being transferred from a fishing boat to shore under calmer daylight conditions.
Authorities say they are currently focusing search efforts above water, where the initial bodies were found. Nanang Sigit, head of the Surabaya rescue team, said the area may be expanded based on sea currents if survivors remain unaccounted for by day’s end.
Government Orders Emergency Response
President Prabowo Subianto, currently on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, has ordered a full emergency response. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said the president was being kept informed and has demanded immediate assistance for the victims and an investigation into the cause of the sinking.
The government attributed the accident to severe weather conditions, though critics have long warned that overloaded ferries and poor safety compliance pose chronic risks across Indonesia’s vast network of island crossings.
A ferry manifest seen by MetroTV indicated that all those on board were Indonesian nationals. There has been no confirmation of foreign nationals among the victims.
A History of Maritime Accidents
Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, is heavily reliant on ferry transport. However, the sector is plagued by lax safety standards and frequent overcrowding.
Last year, a ferry capsized near Sulawesi, killing at least 15 people. Maritime incidents remain a persistent danger, particularly during monsoon seasons.
Editing by M10News Asia-Pacific Desk | Contact: info@m10news.com
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