Ferry Disaster Near Bali Leaves Dozens Missing, Four Dead

Photo:AP

In a devastating maritime accident on July 2, 2025, a ferry carrying 65 people and 22 vehicles sank off the coast of Bali, Indonesia. The vessel, named KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, departed from Ketapang port in East Java, bound for Gilimanuk in Bali, when it capsized in rough waters just 1.6 kilometers from the shore.

As of the latest reports, 31 people have been rescued, four have been confirmed dead, and over 30 remain missing. The cause of the incident is still under investigation, but early reports suggest that severe weather, including waves reaching up to 2 meters (6.5 feet), played a critical role in the disaster.

The ferry was carrying 53 passengers, 12 crew members, and 22 vehicles—including 14 trucks—on the short but vital sea route between Java and Bali. The ferry began to tilt not long after departing, and soon lost radio contact. Survivors say the boat capsized quickly, leaving little time for passengers to react.

Rescue operations were launched by Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), which deployed nine vessels including tugboats, inflatable boats, and helicopters. Despite harsh weather and nighttime conditions, 31 people were pulled from the sea. Many survivors were found unconscious and suffering from hypothermia.

As daylight returned, calmer seas helped speed up the search. Local fishermen and nearby vessels joined the rescue mission, scanning the waters for any signs of life. Family members of missing passengers gathered at Ketapang port, praying for updates and hoping their loved ones would be found.

This tragedy adds to a long list of ferry-related disasters in Indonesia. With over 17,000 islands, ferry transport is common across the country, especially for locals and commercial logistics. Unfortunately, many vessels operate under lax safety standards. Overloading, insufficient life jackets, and poor maintenance continue to plague the maritime industry.

Government officials have promised a full investigation into the cause of the sinking. There are growing calls for stronger safety regulations, mandatory crew training, and improved emergency response systems. This incident is also expected to spark a national debate on the accountability of ferry operators and oversight agencies.

For now, the focus remains on finding the missing. Every minute counts in a rescue operation like this, and time is running out. Helicopters continue to circle the area while divers prepare to search the submerged parts of the vessel.

As Indonesia mourns yet another ferry disaster, the hope is that lessons will be learned, reforms will follow, and the nation’s waters will become safer for all who travel them.