A ferryboat en route from Java (Ketapang) to Bali (Gilimanuk) sank late Wednesday, July 2nd, claiming at least 6 lives and leaving dozens unaccounted for, according to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency.
The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya went down roughly thirty minutes after departure, carrying 53 passengers, 12 crew, and 22 vehicles. The vessel had begun listing before submerging and rescuers suspect an engine-room leak may have contributed to the disaster.
31 survivors have been brought aboard by helicopters, fishing boats, and local vessels, though many were found unconscious in rough seas. Rescue efforts have been obstructed by nightfall, strong currents, and waves reaching up to 2.5 metres, and the search has temporarily been paused until daylight improved.
Rescuers continue to search the water’s surface, aware that the submerged wreck may still contain trapped individuals.
The ship’s manifest aligns with official counts of those aboard, but as is common in Indonesian operations, discrepancies are suspected, complicating the tally of victims.
Efforts involve 100+ personnel, including police, military, and local volunteers, supported by multiple boats and aircraft.
The tragedy occurred on one of Indonesia’s most crowded inter-island routes.
President Prabowo Subianto, while visiting Saudi Arabia, ordered an emergency response, underscoring the gravity of the incident.
Several survivors reported that the vessel tilted suddenly after a suspected engine-room leak, giving passengers minimal time to don life jackets. The distressed ferry sank within minutes, leaving some to cling to floating debris.
As daylight returns, search teams brace for resumed operations, hoping to locate more survivors or recover remains. Meanwhile, local hospitals in Gilimanuk and Jembrana have received the rescued, with specialists reporting critical but stable conditions for the injured.
This incident once again highlights the vulnerabilities of maritime travel across Indonesia’s vast archipelago, where safety regulations have often lagged behind the demands of high ferry traffic.