At least four people have died and many others are missing after a ferry sank off the coast of Bali, Indonesia. The incident occurred on Wednesday night around 11:20 PM local time while the ferry was traveling from Banyuwangi on Java island to Bali. The ferry had 53 passengers and 12 crew members on board when it went down.
Rescue teams have managed to save 31 people so far, but the search for the missing continues. Authorities are looking into what caused the ferry to sink, especially since the operator reported engine problems shortly before the accident.
Many of the rescued individuals are from Banyuwangi, a coastal town, while others are from more inland areas of Java. The route the ferry was taking is one of the busiest in Indonesia, frequently used by locals traveling between Java and Bali.
President Prabowo Subianto, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, has ordered an immediate emergency response to the situation. Photos from the scene show ambulances waiting and families anxiously gathering for updates.
Sadly, marine accidents are not uncommon in Indonesia, which consists of around 17,000 islands. Safety regulations are often not enforced consistently, raising concerns about the safety of ferry travel. Just earlier this year, an Australian woman lost her life when a boat capsized near Bali.
As the search operations continue in the Bali strait, the focus remains on finding those who are still unaccounted for and providing support to the families affected by this tragedy.