Search Efforts Intensify: Dozens Unaccounted for After Ferry Capsizes Off Bali, Indonesia

At least four people have died, and 32 are missing after a ferry sank near Bali, Indonesia. The ferry, KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, was carrying 65 passengers when it went down shortly after leaving Banyuwangi port, according to Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, BASARNAS.

Rescue teams have saved 29 individuals with nine vessels participating in the search. Fortunately, sea and weather conditions improved, allowing rescuers to work more efficiently. Many survivors were found unconscious after drifting for hours in the water.

Families of those aboard gathered at the port, anxiously seeking news and hoping for good news about their loved ones.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, currently in Saudi Arabia, has called for an immediate emergency response. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya mentioned that poor weather was to blame for the incident.

Maritime accidents are not uncommon in Indonesia, an archipelago with around 17,000 islands. Safety regulations can often be overlooked, leading to overloaded boats without proper life-saving gear. For instance, in March, a boat capsized off Bali, resulting in one death. In 2018, a ferry disaster in Sumatra claimed over 150 lives.

According to a 2022 report by the World Bank, Indonesia’s maritime safety standards need significant improvement to protect passengers. Experts suggest that stricter regulations and regular inspections are essential to prevent future tragedies.

As rescue efforts continue, the nation reflects on its history of maritime challenges, hoping for progress in safety measures to safeguard lives in the future. For more information on Indonesia’s maritime safety efforts, you can visit the World Bank’s official report.

Source link

News, Shipping, Asia Pacific, Indonesia