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Search and rescue teams in Indonesia continued efforts on Thursday to locate 29 missing individuals after a ferry sank near the popular island of Bali, claiming six lives. Among the deceased were a mother and her 3-year-old son, whose bodies were retrieved later in the day. The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry went down late Wednesday shortly after departing from East Java’s Ketapang port en route to Bali’s Gilimanuk port.
I. The Sinking Incident
1. Tragedy Near Bali Waters
The ill-fated ferry, carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members, capsized roughly 30 minutes into its short 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) journey. The vessel sank after leaving Ketapang port in Banyuwangi, East Java, bound for Gilimanuk on Bali.
2. Recovery Efforts Begin
Rescuers have retrieved six bodies so far, with 30 people found alive. Indonesian authorities plan to return the deceased to their families in Banyuwangi, according to statements by Mohammad Syafii, chief of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).
II. Ongoing Search and Challenging Conditions
1. Weather Hinders Rescue Operations
Efforts to locate the missing have been hampered by poor weather. Overnight conditions featured 2-meter (6.5-foot) waves and minimal visibility. Although conditions improved Thursday morning, waves increased again to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in the afternoon, with strong winds and currents, as reported by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency.
2. Search Strategy Adjusted
Rescue teams employed a helicopter and 15 boats, aided by local fishermen and coastal residents. The initial focus on the north end of the ferry route shifted southward as currents moved overnight. “Today, we are concentrating on water surface searches, especially in the area leading toward Gilimanuk port,” said Nanang Sigit, head of Surabaya’s Search and Rescue Office.
3. Concerns Over Trapped Victims
Sigit mentioned that the ship is now fully submerged, raising fears that some passengers may still be trapped inside. “But for now, we’re focusing on surface-level recovery,” he added.
III. Eyewitness Accounts and Early Warnings
1. Sinking Witnessed from Shore
A port officer observed the ferry in distress and attempted to raise an alert. However, initial radio contact with the vessel failed. It was only later that other ships from the same ferry company established communication—by which point, the vessel had already begun to tilt, Sigit explained.
2. Survivor Testimony
Supardi, a 64-year-old survivor, recounted how the ferry sank rapidly. “At first, I wanted to jump, but the ship had already sunk fast. I sank along with it, probably about 7 meters deep, and then climbed back up,” he recalled. He managed to stay afloat along with three others using life jackets.
IV. Aftermath and Investigation
1. Medical Assistance and Family Agony
Survivors were transported to Jembrana Regional Hospital in Bali and to the Gilimanuk port’s medical center. Family members, gripped by anxiety and grief, gathered at the port seeking updates on missing relatives—many in tears or distress.
2. Possible Cause: Engine Room Leak
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident. Survivors reported that water began leaking into the engine room before the ferry began to list. The vessel was reportedly carrying 22 vehicles, including 14 large trucks, which may have contributed to its instability.
V. Ferry Safety in Indonesia
1. A Recurring Problem
Indonesia, with its more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferry transportation. However, lapses in safety standards and overloading are frequent contributors to maritime accidents across the archipelago. The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya tragedy adds to a long list of ferry-related disasters that continue to plague the nation’s maritime infrastructure.
Conclusion
The sinking of the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya has once again drawn attention to the perils of ferry travel in Indonesia. While 30 people have been rescued, the fate of the 29 others remains unknown as rescue teams battle time and harsh conditions. With survivors describing a rapid and terrifying descent, and investigations pointing to possible mechanical failure, this incident underscores the urgent need for improved ferry safety standards across the country.
