Indonesia: 5 dead, dozens missing after ferry sinks off Bali

At least five people have died and dozens more are missing after a ferry sank late Wednesday night off the coast of Bali, Indonesia’s popular tourist destination, rescue officials confirmed.

The vessel, which was en route to Bali from the eastern Javanese port city of Banyuwangi, went down at around 23:20 local time (15:35 GMT), according to a statement from the Surabaya branch of Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).

The ill-fated ferry was carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members at the time of the incident. So far, 31 people have been rescued, many of whom were found clinging to debris or struggling in the open sea, officials said.

Search and rescue operations resumed at first light on Thursday, involving navy ships, helicopters, and local fishing boats. Rough sea conditions, however, are said to be hampering efforts to locate the missing.

Authorities say the ferry’s operator reported engine trouble shortly before the vessel went down. While the official cause of the sinking is still under investigation, local media have quoted officials attributing it to “bad weather,” including high waves and strong winds in the area at the time.

“We are doing everything we can to find the remaining passengers,” said Basarnas spokesperson Agung Sudaryanto. “Our thoughts are with the families of those affected.”

Ferry accidents are not uncommon in Indonesia, a vast archipelago of over 17,000 islands where sea travel is a primary mode of transport. Questions are again being raised about maritime safety standards, particularly during adverse weather conditions.

An emergency response centre has been set up in Banyuwangi, where anxious relatives are gathering in search of news.