Tragic Ferry Disaster Claims Lives Off Bali Coast

Emergency response teams are working tirelessly as survivors recount their harrowing experiences following the incident.

At least five individuals have tragically lost their lives, and many more remain unaccounted for after a ferry sank near Bali, Indonesia. The vessel was carrying 65 individuals, including 53 passengers and 12 crew members, when it capsized late Wednesday night (23:20 local time/15:35 GMT) during its journey from Banyuwangi in Java to Bali.

As of now, 31 survivors have been rescued, and search operations by the National Search and Rescue Agency continue. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances leading to the ferry's sinking, with initial reports indicating the crew signaled engine issues shortly before the maritime disaster. Local media have suggested that severe weather conditions may also have played a role.

Many of the rescued individuals hail from the coastal town of Banyuwangi, while others originated from further inland in Java. Imron, a survivor from Banyuwangi, recounted the terrifying moments before the ferry capsized. He described how the boat tilted sharply three times, allowing seawater to flood the passenger cabin. Imron managed to escape through a gap in the ferry and cling to a life jacket until he was picked up by a nearby fisherman. Another survivor, Bejo Santoso, managed to leap off the ferry just before it overturned and also found safety in a life jacket.

In response to the disaster, President Prabowo Subianto, who was on an official visit in Saudi Arabia, has called for an immediate emergency response. The route the ferry was taking is one of the busiest in Indonesia, frequently used by locals traveling between the islands of Java and Bali.

Eyewitness photos from the scene showed emergency vehicles on standby as anxious family members waited for news of their loved ones. Indonesia's waters are known for frequent maritime accidents, often attributed to inadequate enforcement of safety regulations. In an earlier incident in March, an Australian woman perished when another boat capsized off Bali with 16 individuals onboard. The ongoing rescue efforts are a reminder of the dangers faced by travelers in this expansive archipelago, which consists of approximately 17,000 islands.