Ferry Disaster off Bali: Five Confirmed Dead, Dozens Missing

At least five individuals have perished, and many more are unaccounted for after a ferry capsized while en route to Bali from Java, igniting fears over maritime safety regulations in Indonesia.

At least five people are confirmed dead, with dozens still missing, following a ferry disaster off the coast of Bali, Indonesia. The vessel, which was carrying a total of 65 individuals, including 53 passengers and 12 crew members, sank on Wednesday night at approximately 23:20 local time (15:35 GMT). The ferry was traveling from Banyuwangi on Java's eastern coast to the popular tourist destination of Bali.

A spokesperson from the National Search and Rescue Agency in Surabaya confirmed that 31 survivors had been rescued, while the search continues for those still missing. Officials are investigating the incident, with preliminary reports indicating that the ferry experienced engine issues prior to sinking. Local media also suggested that "bad weather" might have contributed to the tragedy.

Eyewitness accounts from survivors reveal a chaotic scene as the ferry began to capsize. Imron, one of the survivors, recounted how the vessel tilted sharply multiple times before water entered the passenger cabin. He managed to escape through a gap in the ferry and drifted away until he found a life jacket and was ultimately rescued by a fisherman. Another survivor, Bejo Santoso, jumped into the water moments before the vessel rolled over completely, allowing him to grab a life jacket.

Following the disaster, President Prabowo Subianto, currently in Saudi Arabia on an official visit, has ordered immediate emergency relief efforts. The ferry route in question is one of the busiest in Indonesia, frequently utilized by residents traveling between Java and Bali.

As families await news about their missing loved ones, photographs shared by Antara news agency depict ambulances on standby and anxious relatives gathered along the roadside seeking information. Maritime accidents are tragically not uncommon in Indonesia, a vast nation consisting of approximately 17,000 islands, where safety regulations are often inadequately enforced. This incident follows a recent case in March when an Australian woman died after a boat capsized off the coast of Bali, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in the region.

Authorities are committed to continuing search and rescue operations in the Bali Strait as they work to uncover the details behind this heartbreaking incident.