43 people missing after ferry sinks near Bali, Indonesia as rescuers search
Rescuers are currently engaged in a frantic search for 43 individuals who went missing after a ferry carrying 65 people sank in rough seas near Indonesia’s Bali resort island. The tragic incident took place late Wednesday night, almost half an hour after the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya departed from East Java’s Ketapang port on its way to Bali’s Gilimanuk port, a journey spanning 30 miles.
The ill-fated ferry was carrying 53 passengers, 12 crew members, and 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks, according to information provided by the National Search and Rescue Agency. Tragically, two bodies have already been recovered, while 20 individuals were rescued, many of them found unconscious after being adrift in choppy waters for several hours.
The search and rescue operation, which has been ongoing since Wednesday night, involves nine boats, including two tug boats and two inflatable boats. Rescuers have been contending with waves reaching heights of up to 6.5 feet in the darkness of the night as they comb the waters for any sign of the missing passengers.
Ferry disasters are unfortunately not uncommon in Indonesia, a vast archipelago comprising over 17,000 islands. Ferries serve as a vital mode of transportation in the region, but lax safety regulations and overcrowding issues often contribute to tragic accidents such as this one.
The Indonesian authorities are working tirelessly to locate and rescue the missing individuals, offering a glimmer of hope in the midst of this devastating maritime tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those involved in the rescue efforts during this difficult time.
