Rescuers have rescued 31 passengers from the sea and retrieved five bodies after the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry capsized in stormy waters while travelling to Bali, Indonesia. The tragedy happened late on Wednesday when the boat departed from Ketapang port, bound for Gilimanuk. Teams now have a battle against time to locate 29 missing people.
Ferry Sinks Amid Severe Weather
The ferry left Ketapang, East Java, about 11 pm with 53 passengers, 12 crew, and 22 vehicles. It started leaking in the engine room about half an hour after departure. Then it listed and sank, surrounded by two meter high waves and powerful currents. Darkness and poor weather made it difficult to rescue overnight, but conditions had improved by Thursday morning.
Search parties operated with a helicopter, nine vessels—the tugboats and inflatables—and assistance from local fisherman and onshore volunteers. Some of the survivors clung to lifeboats of the ferry; others were floating unconscious. Officials ferried them to Banyuwangi and Gilimanuk hospitals.
Survivor Testimonies Describe Panic
One of the survivors, Supardi (64), accounted for the moments leading to the sinking of the ferry. He reported that he ascended to the deck when water engulfed the ship and used a life jacket to escape. Traumatized family members cried at the harbor after they were informed their loved ones were missing or saved.
As of Thursday afternoon, 31 survivors and five deaths were confirmed by rescuers. Search teams are still searching for 29 people who remain missing. Authorities stated that the manifest on the ferry reported 65 people aboard, but there could be more.
Investigation and Safety Concerns
Investigators then searched for what led to the rapid sinking of the ferry. Reports indicate an engine-room leak and engine malfunction prior to the tragedy. Ferry accidents have been a prevalent occurrence in Indonesia’s sea waters due to lax regulation, rough seas, and overloading. The route is one of the busiest inter-island ferries in the archipelago.
President Prabowo Subianto, who is in Saudi Arabia, has directed an “immediate emergency response” to assist the rescue operation. National agencies and regional authorities have deployed teams and naval ships to expand the search.
What Lies Ahead?
With conditions stabilizing, teams intend to widen search areas today. Rescue officials indicate they will search underwater portions of the ferry and still-surface areas over drift paths.
Experts warned the death toll might increase in Indonesia if more bodies become visible from the wreckage.
