A major tragedy occurred on the evening of July 2 off the coast of Bali: the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry, traveling from Ketapang port in East Java to Gilimanuk port in Bali, sank about half an hour after departure. Onboard were 53 passengers and 12 crew members, along with 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks.
According to official data, rescuers managed to find the bodies of at least four deceased and saved 23 people — many of whom were found unconscious after drifting for several hours in rough waters. The fate of another 38 people remains unknown.
The search and rescue operation is ongoing, involving nine vessels, including tugboats and inflatable boats. Rescuers faced challenges due to strong waves up to two meters high and nighttime darkness. The police and Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) consider adverse weather as the main cause of the disaster, but further investigation will be conducted. President Prabowo Subianto, who is visiting abroad, has instructed to provide maximum assistance to the victims and the families of the deceased.
Sea transport remains one of the primary modes of transportation in Indonesia, where connections between the thousands of islands are critically important. However, ferry accidents occur regularly — experts attribute these to fleet wear and poor compliance with safety standards.
Meanwhile, the authorities of East Java and Bali recently announced plans to launch a high-speed speedboat from Banyuwangi directly to Denpasar to offer passengers a more modern alternative to overcrowded ferries.
Sources: apnews.com, abc.net.au
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