Indonesia Launches Rescue Mission as Dozens Go Missing in Bali Ferry Disaster

By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda Updated at 1353 EAT on Friday 4 July 2025

“Search efforts continued Thursday as Indonesian rescuers looked for 29 people still missing after a ferry sank near Bali, killing six the night before.”

A 3-year-old boy and his mother were the most recently identified victims, with their bodies recovered Thursday afternoon. In total, six bodies have been found by rescuers and will be returned to their families in Banyuwangi, officials said.

As of Thursday, 30 people had been rescued from the ferry, which was carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members, according to Mohammad Syafii, head of Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency.

Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the sinking, but early reports suggest the ferry may have been overloaded or faced mechanical issues. Weather conditions at the time were reported to be relatively calm, adding to questions about what led to the rapid capsizing.

Meanwhile, grief and anxiety gripped families waiting at both Ketapang and Gilimanuk ports, as rescue teams worked around the clock. Officials have pledged a full investigation once the search and recovery operation concludes.

The ferry is now fully submerged, so there’s a possibility that some victims may still be trapped inside,” said Nanang Sigit, head of the Surabaya Search and Rescue Agency. “But for now, our focus remains on searching the water’s surface.”

Weather conditions significantly affected the search operation. Strong waves reaching up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) and limited visibility overnight hampered rescue efforts.

Although conditions improved Thursday morning, Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency later reported waves as high as 2.5 meters (8.2 feet), accompanied by strong currents and winds by the afternoon.

Ferry Safety Under Scrutiny
This tragedy has reignited scrutiny over ferry safety standards in Indonesia, where vessel maintenance and passenger limits often come under question.

In recent years, the country has faced several maritime incidents attributed to overloading and inadequate inspections. Authorities say a full investigation into the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya incident will include examining the vessel’s maintenance records, crew training, and compliance with safety protocols.

Some of the 30 rescued passengers described a sudden tilt before the ferry capsized. “One moment, we were stable; the next, water rushed through the deck,” a survivor recounted, speaking on condition of anonymity. Among the survivors were families traveling for the Eid al-Adha holiday, hoping to connect with loved ones in Bali.

Response at the Ports
At both Ketapang and Gilimanuk ports, emergency response centers were established. Psychological support teams, including counselors and religious leaders, were deployed to assist traumatized survivors and relatives awaiting news.

Investigation Timeline
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) will hand over recovered bodies to local health officials for identification and autopsy.

Meanwhile, the Maritime and Fisheries Ministry will convene a safety panel within two days, officials said, aiming to publicly release preliminary findings within a week.

Survivors were treated at Bali’s Jembrana Regional Hospital and at the Gilimanuk port office. Some family members arrived in a panic, weeping as they searched for news about missing loved ones.

Indonesian authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the sinking. Several survivors reported a possible leak in the engine room before the vessel went down.

The ferry was carrying 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks, at the time of the incident.

“When the ferry started to tilt, I planned to jump into the sea,” said Supardi, a 64-year-old survivor recovering at the hospital.

“But it sank so fast that I didn’t have time I went down with the ship as the water rushed in. It felt like we sank about 7 meters (23 feet) before I could climb back up.”

Supardi said he eventually grouped together with three other passengers in the water. Using life jackets, they managed to stay afloat until rescuers arrived.

Ferry disasters are tragically common in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands where ferries serve as a vital mode of transport but often operate with lax enforcement of safety regulations.

Ferry accidents are a recurring issue in Indonesia, where the vast archipelago relies heavily on maritime transport, yet safety standards are frequently compromised due to overcrowding, poor maintenance, and weak regulatory oversight.

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