JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Rescuers in Indonesia are conducting a search operation for 32 individuals who went missing after the ferry, KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, sank on the night of July 3, 2025, near Bali, a popular resort island. So far, four bodies have been recovered, and weather conditions appear to be improving, aiding the rescue efforts, with 29 people already rescued, according to the National Search and Rescue Agency.
Family members gathered in a state of panic at the departure port in Banyuwangi, East Java, anxiously searching for information about their loved ones. Emotional scenes unfolded as some relatives wept while others sought reassurances about the well-being of those aboard the ferry.
The rescue operation includes nine boats, which comprise two tugboats and two inflatable boats, alongside local fishermen and volunteers from the shore. Initially, the search was hampered by strong waves reaching up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) and the darkness of night. However, as conditions improved in the morning, rescue officials expressed optimism that they would be able to continue their search more effectively.
The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya had set sail from Ketapang port in Banyuwangi, heading towards Gilimanuk port in Bali, on a route that spans approximately 50 kilometers (30 miles). The vessel was carrying 53 passengers, 12 crew members, and 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks, as stated by the National Search and Rescue Agency.
Witnesses reported that the ferry sank shortly after its departure, and an officer on duty at the port saw the incident unfold before notifying rescue teams. According to Nanang Sigit, the head of the Surabaya Search and Rescue agency, there was a communication failure with the ferry right from the onset of its journey. It was later possible to contact other vessels operated by the same company, but by that time, the ferry was already in a precarious, tilting condition.
For the ongoing search efforts, the focus has been placed on the waters where initial victims were found, between the site of the accident and Gilimanuk port. Many of those rescued were reported to be unconscious after spending hours adrift in turbulent waters. The police chief of Banyuwangi, Rama Samtama Putra, highlighted the dire conditions experienced by the survivors during the ordeal.
Ferry accidents are unfortunately common in Indonesia, an archipelago consisting of over 17,000 islands. Ferries serve as a primary mode of transportation in the region, and safety regulations often fall short of necessary standards, leading to frequent tragedies.
