At least four people have died and 38 remain missing after a ferry carrying 65 passengers and crew sank late Wednesday night while en route from East Java to the resort island of Bali, Indonesian authorities confirmed on Thursday. So far, 23 survivors have been rescued from the sea.
The ferry, identified as KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, sank roughly 25 minutes after departing from Ketapang port in Banyuwangi, East Java. The vessel was bound for Gilimanuk port in Bali, a short but busy one-hour crossing that spans approximately 5 kilometres (3 miles).
Bad Weather Blamed for Sinking
According to police chief Rama Samtama Putra, initial investigations suggest severe weather conditions caused the vessel to go down. The Indonesian government has confirmed waves of up to 2.5 metres (8 feet) and strong winds and currents were hampering early rescue efforts.
President Prabowo Subianto, who is currently visiting Saudi Arabia, has ordered an immediate emergency response, according to a statement by cabinet secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
Rescue Operation Underway
More than 54 rescue personnel, including members of the navy, police, and local SAR agencies, are participating in the search-and-rescue mission. They were initially deployed using inflatable boats, and larger support vessels have since been dispatched from Surabaya to assist.
Of the known survivors, four reportedly escaped using the ferry’s lifeboat, and were found adrift early Thursday morning. The ferry was also carrying 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks.
It remains unclear if foreign nationals were among the passengers. Authorities are still verifying whether the actual number of people on board exceeded the official manifest, which listed 53 passengers and 12 crew. In Indonesia, undercounting on manifests is a known issue, especially on inter-island ferries.
Marine Accidents a Common Concern
Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, frequently witnesses maritime accidents, often due to a combination of poor enforcement of safety regulations, overcrowding, and bad weather.
- In March 2025, a boat capsized off Bali, killing an Australian woman.
- In 2022, a ferry with over 800 passengers ran aground in East Nusa Tenggara but was safely evacuated.
- In 2018, a tragic incident on Lake Toba in Sumatra claimed more than 150 lives.
As the search continues in the choppy waters off Bali, authorities remain hopeful that more survivors may be located. However, with dozens still unaccounted for and rough seas hampering operations, the incident marks another sobering reminder of the challenges facing Indonesia’s maritime infrastructure.
