Indonesia suspends search after ferry sinks near Bali
The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sank almost half an hour after leaving East Java province's Banyuwangi port on its way to Bali late on Wednesday, the agency said.
The rescuers called off the search on Thursday evening due to a "visibility problem", Nanang Sigit, the head of East Java rescue agency told Reuters, adding that 29 people had been rescued so far.
He said the operation would resume on Friday morning, with more than 160 rescuers including police and military personnel deployed to conduct the search backed by four vessels and several helicopters.
The boat was carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members, as well as 22 vehicles, the national agency said.
The ship was rated to carry 67 people and 25 vehicles, according to Indonesia's transport ministry.
The search for the missing since Thursday morning had been hampered by strong currents and winds, the national rescue agency said.
Video provided by national rescue agency Basarnas showed what appeared to be the body of one person being carried to shore from a fishing boat in calm seas.
The passengers were all Indonesian, the transport ministry said.
One of the survivors, Eko Toniansyah, 25, who lost his father, told Reuters the ferry suddenly began sinking and tilting, causing panic among all the passengers, who scrambled for life vests.
Another survivor, Bejo Santoso, 52, said strong waves had caused the ferry to sway around 30 minutes after leaving port.
Dozens of people prepared to jump as the ferry began to sink, Santoso said.
Ferries are a regular mode of transport in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, and accidents are common as lax safety standards often allow vessels to be overloaded without adequate life-saving equipment.
A small ferry capsized in 2023 near Indonesia's Sulawesi island, killing at least 15 people.
Indonesian rescuers have temporarily halted a search for 30 people still missing after a ferry carrying 65 people sank near the island of Bali with the loss of six lives.
The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sank almost half an hour after leaving East Java province's Banyuwangi port on its way to Bali late on Wednesday, the agency said.
The rescuers called off the search on Thursday evening due to a "visibility problem", Nanang Sigit, the head of East Java rescue agency told Reuters, adding that 29 people had been rescued so far.
He said the operation would resume on Friday morning, with more than 160 rescuers including police and military personnel deployed to conduct the search backed by four vessels and several helicopters.
The boat was carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members, as well as 22 vehicles, the national agency said.
The ship was rated to carry 67 people and 25 vehicles, according to Indonesia's transport ministry.
The search for the missing since Thursday morning had been hampered by strong currents and winds, the national rescue agency said.
Video provided by national rescue agency Basarnas showed what appeared to be the body of one person being carried to shore from a fishing boat in calm seas.
The passengers were all Indonesian, the transport ministry said.
One of the survivors, Eko Toniansyah, 25, who lost his father, told Reuters the ferry suddenly began sinking and tilting, causing panic among all the passengers, who scrambled for life vests.
Another survivor, Bejo Santoso, 52, said strong waves had caused the ferry to sway around 30 minutes after leaving port.
Dozens of people prepared to jump as the ferry began to sink, Santoso said.
Ferries are a regular mode of transport in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, and accidents are common as lax safety standards often allow vessels to be overloaded without adequate life-saving equipment.
A small ferry capsized in 2023 near Indonesia's Sulawesi island, killing at least 15 people.
Indonesian rescuers have temporarily halted a search for 30 people still missing after a ferry carrying 65 people sank near the island of Bali with the loss of six lives.
The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sank almost half an hour after leaving East Java province's Banyuwangi port on its way to Bali late on Wednesday, the agency said.
The rescuers called off the search on Thursday evening due to a "visibility problem", Nanang Sigit, the head of East Java rescue agency told Reuters, adding that 29 people had been rescued so far.
He said the operation would resume on Friday morning, with more than 160 rescuers including police and military personnel deployed to conduct the search backed by four vessels and several helicopters.
The boat was carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members, as well as 22 vehicles, the national agency said.
The ship was rated to carry 67 people and 25 vehicles, according to Indonesia's transport ministry.
The search for the missing since Thursday morning had been hampered by strong currents and winds, the national rescue agency said.
Video provided by national rescue agency Basarnas showed what appeared to be the body of one person being carried to shore from a fishing boat in calm seas.
The passengers were all Indonesian, the transport ministry said.
One of the survivors, Eko Toniansyah, 25, who lost his father, told Reuters the ferry suddenly began sinking and tilting, causing panic among all the passengers, who scrambled for life vests.
Another survivor, Bejo Santoso, 52, said strong waves had caused the ferry to sway around 30 minutes after leaving port.
Dozens of people prepared to jump as the ferry began to sink, Santoso said.
Ferries are a regular mode of transport in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, and accidents are common as lax safety standards often allow vessels to be overloaded without adequate life-saving equipment.
A small ferry capsized in 2023 near Indonesia's Sulawesi island, killing at least 15 people.
Indonesian rescuers have temporarily halted a search for 30 people still missing after a ferry carrying 65 people sank near the island of Bali with the loss of six lives.
The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sank almost half an hour after leaving East Java province's Banyuwangi port on its way to Bali late on Wednesday, the agency said.
The rescuers called off the search on Thursday evening due to a "visibility problem", Nanang Sigit, the head of East Java rescue agency told Reuters, adding that 29 people had been rescued so far.
He said the operation would resume on Friday morning, with more than 160 rescuers including police and military personnel deployed to conduct the search backed by four vessels and several helicopters.
The boat was carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members, as well as 22 vehicles, the national agency said.
The ship was rated to carry 67 people and 25 vehicles, according to Indonesia's transport ministry.
The search for the missing since Thursday morning had been hampered by strong currents and winds, the national rescue agency said.
Video provided by national rescue agency Basarnas showed what appeared to be the body of one person being carried to shore from a fishing boat in calm seas.
The passengers were all Indonesian, the transport ministry said.
One of the survivors, Eko Toniansyah, 25, who lost his father, told Reuters the ferry suddenly began sinking and tilting, causing panic among all the passengers, who scrambled for life vests.
Another survivor, Bejo Santoso, 52, said strong waves had caused the ferry to sway around 30 minutes after leaving port.
Dozens of people prepared to jump as the ferry began to sink, Santoso said.
Ferries are a regular mode of transport in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, and accidents are common as lax safety standards often allow vessels to be overloaded without adequate life-saving equipment.
A small ferry capsized in 2023 near Indonesia's Sulawesi island, killing at least 15 people.
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The Advertiser
19 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Indonesia resumes search for missing ferry passengers
Indonesian rescuers are battling strong currents as they resume the search for 30 people still missing at sea about 35 hours after a ferry sank killing at least six people. The ferry named KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya was carrying 65 people, all Indonesians, when it sank about 30 minutes after setting sail from East Java bound for the holiday island of Bali on Wednesday night, said search and rescue agency official Ribut Eko Suyatno. Twenty-nine survivors were rescued on Thursday before the search was called off due to poor visibility. Dayu Made Silawati, 55, said her husband, Dewa Gede Adyana Putra Usia, was travelling on the ferry to pick up supplies in Bali for his job as a truck driver. Waiting for news at a rescue centre in Bali, she said the last time she spoke to him was on Wednesday night. "'I just got on the ship,'" she recalled him saying. "I said to him, 'Be careful, dear.'" At 4am on Thursday, Silawati said she called him again, and again. There was no answer. Rescue operations resumed on Friday in the waters of Bali Strait involving ships, helicopters, and hundreds of rescuers, Eko said. Strong currents and rain are expected. Transportation safety investigators would probe the cause of the sinking when the search is over, officials said. The ferry was not overloaded when it went down, officials said on Thursday. Ferries are a common mode of transportation in Indonesia, a nation of over 17,000 islands, and lax safety standards allow vessels to be overcrowded with inadequate life-saving equipment. Indonesian rescuers are battling strong currents as they resume the search for 30 people still missing at sea about 35 hours after a ferry sank killing at least six people. The ferry named KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya was carrying 65 people, all Indonesians, when it sank about 30 minutes after setting sail from East Java bound for the holiday island of Bali on Wednesday night, said search and rescue agency official Ribut Eko Suyatno. Twenty-nine survivors were rescued on Thursday before the search was called off due to poor visibility. Dayu Made Silawati, 55, said her husband, Dewa Gede Adyana Putra Usia, was travelling on the ferry to pick up supplies in Bali for his job as a truck driver. Waiting for news at a rescue centre in Bali, she said the last time she spoke to him was on Wednesday night. "'I just got on the ship,'" she recalled him saying. "I said to him, 'Be careful, dear.'" At 4am on Thursday, Silawati said she called him again, and again. There was no answer. Rescue operations resumed on Friday in the waters of Bali Strait involving ships, helicopters, and hundreds of rescuers, Eko said. Strong currents and rain are expected. Transportation safety investigators would probe the cause of the sinking when the search is over, officials said. The ferry was not overloaded when it went down, officials said on Thursday. Ferries are a common mode of transportation in Indonesia, a nation of over 17,000 islands, and lax safety standards allow vessels to be overcrowded with inadequate life-saving equipment. Indonesian rescuers are battling strong currents as they resume the search for 30 people still missing at sea about 35 hours after a ferry sank killing at least six people. The ferry named KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya was carrying 65 people, all Indonesians, when it sank about 30 minutes after setting sail from East Java bound for the holiday island of Bali on Wednesday night, said search and rescue agency official Ribut Eko Suyatno. Twenty-nine survivors were rescued on Thursday before the search was called off due to poor visibility. Dayu Made Silawati, 55, said her husband, Dewa Gede Adyana Putra Usia, was travelling on the ferry to pick up supplies in Bali for his job as a truck driver. Waiting for news at a rescue centre in Bali, she said the last time she spoke to him was on Wednesday night. "'I just got on the ship,'" she recalled him saying. "I said to him, 'Be careful, dear.'" At 4am on Thursday, Silawati said she called him again, and again. There was no answer. Rescue operations resumed on Friday in the waters of Bali Strait involving ships, helicopters, and hundreds of rescuers, Eko said. Strong currents and rain are expected. Transportation safety investigators would probe the cause of the sinking when the search is over, officials said. The ferry was not overloaded when it went down, officials said on Thursday. Ferries are a common mode of transportation in Indonesia, a nation of over 17,000 islands, and lax safety standards allow vessels to be overcrowded with inadequate life-saving equipment. Indonesian rescuers are battling strong currents as they resume the search for 30 people still missing at sea about 35 hours after a ferry sank killing at least six people. The ferry named KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya was carrying 65 people, all Indonesians, when it sank about 30 minutes after setting sail from East Java bound for the holiday island of Bali on Wednesday night, said search and rescue agency official Ribut Eko Suyatno. Twenty-nine survivors were rescued on Thursday before the search was called off due to poor visibility. Dayu Made Silawati, 55, said her husband, Dewa Gede Adyana Putra Usia, was travelling on the ferry to pick up supplies in Bali for his job as a truck driver. Waiting for news at a rescue centre in Bali, she said the last time she spoke to him was on Wednesday night. "'I just got on the ship,'" she recalled him saying. "I said to him, 'Be careful, dear.'" At 4am on Thursday, Silawati said she called him again, and again. There was no answer. Rescue operations resumed on Friday in the waters of Bali Strait involving ships, helicopters, and hundreds of rescuers, Eko said. Strong currents and rain are expected. Transportation safety investigators would probe the cause of the sinking when the search is over, officials said. The ferry was not overloaded when it went down, officials said on Thursday. Ferries are a common mode of transportation in Indonesia, a nation of over 17,000 islands, and lax safety standards allow vessels to be overcrowded with inadequate life-saving equipment.
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
Indonesian rescuers set to resume search for survivors of ferry sinking
Indonesian rescuers have temporarily halted a search for 29 people still missing after a ferry carrying 65 people sank near Bali. The rescuers called off the search on Thursday evening due to a "visibility problem", Nanang Sigit, the head of East Java rescue agency said, adding that 29 people had been rescued so far. The search for the missing had been hampered by strong currents and winds. Mr Sigit said the operation would resume on Friday morning, with more than 160 rescuers, including police and military personnel, deployed to conduct the search backed by four vessels and several helicopters. "But right now we are focusing on the surface of the water first." The national search and rescue agency said six people were confirmed dead. The bodies of a three-year-old boy and his mother were recovered on Thursday afternoon. The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sank almost half an hour after leaving East Java province's Banyuwangi port on its way to Bali late on Wednesday. The boat was carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members, as well as 22 vehicles. Many of those rescued were unconscious after drifting in choppy waters for hours, Banyuwangi Police Chief Rama Samtama Putra said. The passengers were all Indonesian, the transport ministry said. One of the survivors, Eko Toniansyah, 25, who lost his father, told Reuters the ferry suddenly began sinking and tilting, causing panic among all the passengers, who scrambled for life vests. Another survivor, Bejo Santoso, 52, said strong waves caused the ferry to sway about 30 minutes after it left port. Dozens of people prepared to jump as the ferry began to sink, Mr Santoso said. Ferries are a common mode of transport in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, and accidents are common as lax safety standards often allow vessels to be overloaded without adequate life-saving equipment. A small ferry capsized near Indonesia's Sulawesi island in 2023, killing at least 15 people. AP/Reuters
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Dozens missing after ferry sinks off Bali
Jakarta: A rescue operation was under way in rough seas on Thursday after five people died and dozens were left missing when a ferry carrying 65 people sank near Bali, according to search and rescue agencies. The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sank almost half an hour after leaving East Java province's Banyuwangi port on its way to the popular Indonesian tourist island late on Wednesday, the national search and rescue agency said. The boat was carrying more than 60 people, the national agency said. Thirty-five people had been rescued, the East Java rescue agency said, with the rest still missing. The incident was witnessed by the on-duty officer at the port and reported to the rescue team. Nine boats, including two tug boats and two inflatable boats, as well as fishermen and people onshore searched for survivors. 'The ferry could not be contacted via radio from the beginning. Then it could be contacted by other ships from the same company. But the ship was already in a tilting condition,' Nanang Sigit, head of Surabaya Search and Rescue agency, in a statement. 'For today's search, we are focusing on searching on the water, as the initial victims were found in the water between the location of the accident toward Gilimanuk port.'
