Ferry Sinks Near Bali: 4 Dead, 30 Missing, 31 Rescued Amid Rough Seas

The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry sank approximately 30 minutes after departing from Banyuwangi port in East Java province en route to Bali late on Wednesday. The vessel was carrying 53 passengers, 12 crew members, and 22 vehicles.

The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) reported that rescue operations are ongoing but are being hindered by rough sea conditions, including strong currents and winds. A helicopter and 13 underwater rescuers have been deployed to assist in the search efforts.

Video footage released by Basarnas showed the body of one victim being brought ashore by a fishing boat in calm waters. While there has been no official confirmation of the nationalities of the passengers, a manifest list broadcast by MetroTV indicated that no foreigners were on board.

Ferries are a common mode of transportation in Indonesia, an archipelago of over 17,000 islands. However, accidents are frequent due to lax safety standards, which often result in overcrowding and insufficient life-saving equipment.