A passenger's relative weeps after a ferry carrying dozens of passengers sank near the resort island of Bali, at Ketapang Port in Bayuwangi, East Java, Indonesia, on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
A routine ferry trip turned tragic off the coast of Bali as an Indonesian vessel sank Wednesday night, leaving at least six people dead and 29 missing. Among the confirmed victims were a 3-year-old boy and his mother, whose bodies were recovered Thursday afternoon.
Rescuers continue to search for survivors after the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry sank just 30 minutes into its short journey from Ketapang port in East Java to Gilimanuk port in Bali, a distance of only 5 kilometres.
Ongoing Search Efforts in Difficult Conditions
As of Thursday, 30 passengers had been rescued from the total of 65 people onboard — including 12 crew members. According to Mohammad Syafii, head of Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, a massive operation is underway involving 15 boats, a helicopter, fishermen, and coastal volunteers.
However, weather conditions have complicated the mission.
Overnight, waves up to 2 meters and strong winds hampered visibility and movement. On Thursday afternoon, waves reached 2.5 meters, making the search even more challenging.
“Right now we’re focusing on searching the water’s surface,” said Nanang Sigit, head of the Surabaya Search and Rescue team. “The ship is fully submerged, so there’s still a chance people may be trapped inside.”
Survivors Tell Harrowing Stories
Some survivors were pulled from the ocean unconscious after drifting for hours in rough waters. Emergency treatment was provided at Jembrana Regional Hospital in Bali and at the Gilimanuk port office. Families, shocked and emotional, arrived at the scene hoping for updates on missing loved ones.
Rama Samtama Putra, the police chief in Banyuwangi, described the dramatic rescue. “Many survivors were weak and near drowning. The cold and waves took a toll,” he said.
One survivor, 64-year-old Supardi, shared his terrifying experience. “When the ferry tilted, I wanted to jump, but it sank too quickly. Water rushed in. I was pulled down about 7 meters.
Somehow, I managed to climb back to the surface and stay afloat using a life jacket,” he recalled.
Supardi said he grouped with three others in the water and used life jackets to survive the night.
What Went Wrong?
The cause of the ferry sinking near Bali is under investigation. Survivors reported that a leak in the engine room may have started the emergency. The vessel was reportedly carrying 22 vehicles, including 14 large trucks, which could have impacted the ship’s stability.
Port officials said that the ferry was unreachable by radio from the beginning of the trip. Communication was only restored when other vessels noticed the ship was tilting dangerously. By then, it was too late.
“The ferry was already leaning when we finally made contact,” said Sigit. “An officer at the port actually witnessed it sinking, but there wasn’t enough time to respond.”
Ferry Accidents Plague Indonesia
Ferry disasters are not uncommon in Indonesia, a country of over 17,000 islands where water transport plays a vital role. However, lax safety standards and overcrowding often result in maritime tragedies.
Authorities say they are committed to finding the missing and ensuring their families are informed. But this latest incident raises serious questions about maritime safety protocols and the readiness of emergency response systems in the archipelagic nation.
As search and rescue operations continue, hopes remain that more survivors will be found. But as time passes and the weather worsens, the window for a miracle narrows.
