Ferry Sinks Off Bali, Claiming at Least Six Lives and Leaving Many Missing with Over Sixty Passengers Aboard
The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry, carrying 65 passengers and crew, sank off the coast of Bali, Indonesia, late on Wednesday night. As of July 5, 2025, the latest information indicates six confirmed deaths, approximately 30 people still missing, and ongoing rescue operations.
The ferry, which was en route from Ketapang port, Java, to Gilimanuk port in Bali, capsized about 30 minutes after departure. According to reports, around 29 to 31 people have been rescued so far, with many survivors being local residents and some found unconscious after spending hours drifting in the ocean.
The search and rescue agency, Basarnas, is leading the operation, with the support of helicopters, nine boats, underwater rescue specialists, and local fishermen. However, the mission faces significant challenges due to strong waves of 2 to 2.5 meters, strong winds, currents, poor visibility, and rain.
President Joko Widodo has directed the government to address the emergency urgently, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has ordered an immediate emergency response following the sinking.
Investigations into the cause of the sinking are ongoing, but severe weather conditions and possible engine trouble reported shortly before the incident are suspected culprits. The ferry was not overloaded at the time of the accident, according to officials.
This tragic incident has once again raised concerns about maritime safety standards in Indonesia, where ferry accidents are unfortunately common due to poor safety compliance. In 2018, more than 150 people drowned when a ferry sank in one of the world's deepest lakes on Sumatra island.
Rescuers temporarily halted their search on Thursday evening due to a visibility problem, but they plan to resume the search for the 30 people still missing on Friday. The focus of the search is currently on the surface of the water, with the ferry fully submerged, suggesting there may be people still inside.
Panicked family members rushed to the departure port, seeking information about their loved ones. Many survivors of the sinking were found unconscious, adding to the anxiety and concern of those waiting for news.
As the search for survivors continues, the hope is that more people will be found and brought to safety. The Indonesian authorities and rescue teams are working tirelessly under challenging conditions to ensure the best possible outcome.
- Breaking news: The economy and general-news are dominated by the tragic sinking of the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry off Bali's coast, causing six confirmed deaths, approximately 30 people still missing, and ongoing rescue operations.
- Amidst the ongoing rescue efforts, politics and policy-and-legislation are stirred as investigations into the cause of the sinking uncover potential failures in maritime safety standards, which have led to numerous similar incidents in Indonesia.
- War-and-conflicts and migration are not directly implicated in this event, but the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya tragedy highlights the challenges faced by people relying on ferries for transportation, a situation that might drive some to embark on perilous journeys in search of safety and better prospects.
- Apart from the immediate concern for the 30 people still missing, police and crime-and-justice agencies must also investigate the possible role of severe weather conditions, faulty equipment, and human error in the sinking to prevent future accidents.
- In addition to the search for the missing passengers, authorities and rescue teams must contend with several challenges, including weather conditions, strong waves, strong winds, and currents, further straining their resources in the operation.
- As the search for survivors enters its second day, the Indonesian authorities and rescue teams have not lost hope and are working diligently to locate the 30 people still missing, with the focus on the surface of the water, where people might have been entrapped or survived after the sinking.
