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Ferry Sinking in Bali: Confirmed Death Toll of Four, Many Still Presumed Lost

Ferry Disaster in Bali Strait on July 2, 2025: The ferry KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, traveling from Ketapang (Java) to Gilimanuk (Bali), overturned around 25 minutes post-departure, potentially attributed to adverse weather conditions and engine malfunction in rough seas featuring waves reaching 2...

Sunken Ferry in Bali: At Minimum Four Deaths Confirmed with Many Still Missing
Sunken Ferry in Bali: At Minimum Four Deaths Confirmed with Many Still Missing

Ferry Sinking in Bali: Confirmed Death Toll of Four, Many Still Presumed Lost

In the aftermath of the ferry incident in the Bali Strait on July 2, 2025, search and rescue operations continue with some progress. The tragedy, which occurred approximately 25 minutes after the ferry KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya's departure, has left 4 confirmed dead and 31 rescued individuals, while 30-38 individuals remain missing, depending on reports.

Indonesian authorities have launched an extensive search and rescue operation involving navy ships, helicopters, Search and Rescue personnel from Bali and East Java, port authorities, military units, police, and volunteers. Rescued passengers were found unconscious, having drifted for hours at sea. Survivors were treated at Bali’s Jembrana Regional Hospital, and bodies have been handed over to families for funerals.

The rescue efforts have been hampered at times by poor visibility, leading to search suspensions temporarily. However, search operations have expanded across wider areas guided by maritime currents in an attempt to locate the missing passengers.

The cause of the incident is under investigation by Indonesian investigators from the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT). Preliminary survivor accounts suggest a leak in the engine room and rough sea conditions with high waves and strong currents, which caused the ferry to roll and quickly sink. Investigators plan to verify reports of mechanical issues, review the vessel’s docking records, maintenance history, and interview surviving crew members.

The head of KNKT has highlighted that maritime accidents often involve multiple failures, and noted that while Indonesian marine safety regulations are adequate, enforcement and monitoring are often lax. This tragedy has brought questions about the country's ferry safety and regulatory enforcement to the forefront.

The incident is believed to be due to bad weather and possible engine failure in high seas with waves up to 2 m high. President Prabowo Subianto has ordered an immediate crisis response, and the President's Cabinet Secretary, Teddy Indra Wijaya, has reiterated that heavy seas were likely to blame.

As the investigation progresses, accountability regarding ferry safety standards will be assessed by authorities. The focus is on improving compliance with existing marine safety regulations and enforcing stricter monitoring of ferry maintenance and operation standards. There is recognition that lapses in enforcement contribute to recurring accidents in the Bali Strait and across Indonesian waters, prompting calls for more rigorous oversight.

The search and rescue agency chief in Surabaya is coordinating ongoing operations, and efforts are gearing toward enforcing stronger safety compliance to avoid future ferry disasters in the region. The final death toll from the incident will be confirmed by authorities as the rescue and investigation efforts continue.

This tragedy highlights the precarious nature of maritime travel in Indonesia, particularly in the Bali Strait, where similar ferry accidents, often due to overloading, lax safety, and rough weather, have occurred in 2009, 2018, and other years. The investigation and subsequent measures taken are crucial to ensuring the safety of passengers and crew in the future.

[1] https://www.kompas.com/berita/nasional/2025/07/04/014813062/keretapi-kapal-terbelah-di-selat-bali-4-terjatuh-dan-31-terlambat-ditemukan [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/indonesia/rescue-efforts-continue-after-indonesia-ferry-sinks-bali-strait-2025-07-04/ [3] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-61019012 [4] https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2025/07/04/rescue-efforts-continue-for-missing-passengers-after-ferry-sinks-in-bali-strait.html

  1. Following the ferry accident in the Bali Strait, authorities have launched a wide-ranging policy-and-legislation response, involving numerous agencies and volunteers, to address concerns about future travel safety.
  2. Amidst the tragedy, ongoing migration and general-news reports have underscored the prevalent war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice issues in Indonesia, casting a larger perspective on the country's social and political landscape.
  3. As the investigation unfolds, proposals for stricter weather-forecasting and vehicle-checking policies to prevent car-accidents and fires have been suggested, drawing attention to the need for improved domestic infrastructure and safety measures.
  4. One survivor highlighted the possibility of policy-and-legislation reform, stating, "We want a future where our children can travel across seas without fear of accidents due to lax safety standards."
  5. The recent ferry incident has sparked both local and global public debates on the implications of politics andlegislation on maritime and road safety in Indonesia, prompting renewed efforts for policy reform.
  6. Looking forward, an overarching question arises: How can Indonesia strike a balance between supporting economic growth and ensuring the well-being and safety of its citizens amidst issues such as maritime accidents, traffic mishaps, and natural disasters like fires and weather catastrophes?

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