GILIMANUK, Indonesia — In a determined effort to locate 30 missing individuals, Indonesian authorities have intensified their search operations following the tragic sinking of a ferry near Bali. The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sank late Wednesday, shortly after departing from Ketapang port in East Java for a brief journey to Bali’s Gilimanuk port, a trip spanning approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles).
The search, which had been suspended Thursday evening due to poor visibility, resumed Friday morning with over 160 rescuers, including police and military personnel, joining the efforts. Ribut Eko Suyatno, the deputy chief of operations at the National Search and Rescue Agency, confirmed the deployment of three helicopters and a thermal drone to conduct aerial searches over the Bali Strait. Meanwhile, about 20 vessels were mobilized for sea operations.
Challenging Conditions Hamper Search Efforts
Weather forecasts predicting high waves and rough waters have complicated the search. To combat these conditions, authorities have deployed at least three navy ships to replace smaller boats that are less suited to the turbulent waters. Despite these efforts, as of Friday, no new survivors have been found, according to videos and photos released by the agency showing rescuers scanning the waters from rescue boats.
The agency has confirmed 29 survivors and six fatalities, although the names of the missing have not been released. The passenger manifest indicates that 30 people remain unaccounted for. Survivors are currently receiving treatment at Bali’s Jembrana Regional Hospital, while the deceased have been returned to their families for funerals.
Investigating the Cause of the Tragedy
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the ferry’s sinking. Survivors have reported a possible leak in the ferry’s engine room. The vessel was carrying 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks, at the time of the incident.
Ferry accidents are a recurrent issue in Indonesia, an archipelago of over 17,000 islands, where weak enforcement of safety regulations is often cited as a contributing factor. This latest incident follows a series of similar tragedies. In 2023, 15 people died when a boat capsized off Sulawesi, and in 2021, a ferry sank near Bali, resulting in seven deaths and 11 missing persons.
Historical Context of Ferry Disasters
Indonesia has a long history of maritime disasters. In 2018, an overcrowded ferry sank in North Sumatra, claiming 167 lives. One of the country’s most devastating ferry accidents occurred in February 1999, when an overcrowded passenger ship sank with 332 people aboard, leaving only 20 survivors.
“Ferry tragedies occur regularly in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, with weak enforcement of safety regulations often to blame.”
Community Response and Next Steps
At the Gilimanuk port office, distraught relatives of the missing have gathered, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. The community is rallying to support the families affected by this tragedy, offering both emotional and logistical assistance.
As the search continues, experts are calling for stricter enforcement of maritime safety regulations to prevent future tragedies. The Indonesian government is under pressure to enhance safety measures and ensure that vessels are adequately maintained and equipped to handle the challenging conditions of the country’s waters.
The outcome of the ongoing investigation into the ferry’s sinking will likely influence future policy decisions regarding maritime safety. For now, the focus remains on finding the missing passengers and providing support to the survivors and the families of those who have perished.
