At least 4 dead and dozens missing after ferry sinks near Indonesia’s Bali

At Least 4 Dead, 38 Missing After Ferry Sinks En Route to Bali

Tragedy struck in Indonesia late Wednesday night as a ferry carrying dozens of passengers and crew sank in the Bali Strait, leaving at least four people confirmed dead and 38 still missing, according to the country’s search and rescue agency.

The ill-fated vessel, KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, was en route from Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, to Gilimanuk Seaport in Jembrana Regency on Bali island when disaster struck just before midnight. Aboard the ferry were 65 individuals, including passengers and crew members.

Authorities said that 23 people have been successfully rescued so far, with efforts continuing to locate the remaining missing individuals. However, rescue operations have been severely hampered by harsh weather conditions, including strong winds, high waves, and powerful ocean currents.

In response to the incident, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who is currently on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, has directed an immediate emergency response to support rescue and recovery efforts. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, in an official statement on Thursday, confirmed that the President is closely monitoring the situation and has called for swift action to assist victims and their families.

The preliminary cause of the accident has been attributed to bad weather, though further investigations are expected to provide a clearer picture of the circumstances leading to the vessel’s sinking.

As search teams continue to brave difficult conditions in hopes of finding survivors, the nation watches anxiously, holding out hope for the safe return of those still unaccounted for.

Source: aa.com.tr