GILIMANUK, Indonesia — Indonesian authorities have intensified their search efforts for 30 people who remain missing after a ferry sank near the tourist island of Bali. The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya went down nearly half an hour after departing from Ketapang port in East Java late Wednesday, heading for Bali’s Gilimanuk port, a journey of approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles).
The search and rescue operation, which was halted Thursday evening due to poor visibility, resumed on Friday morning. More than 160 rescuers, including police and soldiers, are involved in the mission, according to Ribut Eko Suyatno, the deputy chief of operations at the National Search and Rescue Agency. The operation has been bolstered by the deployment of three helicopters and a thermal drone for aerial searches, while about 20 vessels scour the Bali Strait.
Challenges and Reinforcements
Weather forecasts predicting high waves and rough waters around the Bali Strait have prompted the deployment of at least three navy ships to replace smaller boats, Suyatno noted. Videos and photos released by the agency depict rescuers searching desperately from boats, yet no new survivors have been found.
The agency has released the names of 29 survivors and confirmed six fatalities as of late Thursday. The identities of the missing have not been disclosed, but the passenger manifest indicates 30 individuals are unaccounted for. Survivors are currently receiving medical care at Bali’s Jembrana Regional Hospital, while the deceased have been returned to their families for burial.
Community and Family Impact
Distraught relatives have gathered at the Gilimanuk port office, anxiously awaiting news of their missing loved ones. Meanwhile, Indonesian authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Survivors have reported a possible leak in the ferry’s engine room, which was carrying 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks.
Recurring Maritime Tragedies
Ferry disasters are not uncommon in Indonesia, an archipelago comprising over 17,000 islands, where safety regulation enforcement is often lacking. In 2023, a boat capsized off Sulawesi, resulting in 15 fatalities. Similarly, in 2021, another ferry sank in rough seas near Bali, leaving seven dead and 11 missing. One of the most devastating incidents occurred in 2018 when an overcrowded ferry sank in North Sumatra, killing 167 people.
In February 1999, an overcrowded passenger ship sank with 332 people on board, with only 20 survivors, marking one of Indonesia’s worst maritime disasters.
Looking Ahead
The current tragedy underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Indonesia in ensuring maritime safety. Experts advocate for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and better maintenance of vessels to prevent future incidents.
As the search continues, the focus remains on finding the missing passengers and providing support to affected families. The incident highlights the urgent need for improvements in Indonesia’s maritime safety protocols to safeguard against future tragedies.
