Tragedy Strikes: Ferry Sinks Off Bali, Leaving 6 Confirmed Dead and Dozens Missing

A ferry traveling from Ketapang port in Java to Gilimanuk in Bali sank on the evening of July 2, 2025, resulting in at least six confirmed fatalities and many individuals still unaccounted for, according to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency. The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya went down approximately thirty minutes after it departed, carrying 53 passengers, 12 crew members, and 22 vehicles. Witnesses reported the vessel began to list before it submerged, and rescuers believe an engine-room leak may have been a contributing factor to the incident.

Rescue operations, involving helicopters, fishing boats, and local vessels, managed to save 31 individuals, many of whom were found unconscious in turbulent waters. Efforts faced significant challenges due to night conditions, strong currents, and wave heights reaching 2.5 meters, leading to a temporary halt until daylight.

Currently, rescuers maintain efforts to search the surface for additional survivors or to locate individuals who may be trapped inside the wreck. While the ferry’s passenger manifest matches the official counts, there is concern over possible discrepancies, complicating the count of victims.

An extensive rescue operation involving over a hundred personnel, including police, military, and volunteers, is underway, supported by various boats and aircraft. The sinking of the ferry has drawn attention due to the route’s popularity among inter-island passengers in Indonesia.

President Prabowo Subianto, during a visit to Saudi Arabia, has ordered an emergency response, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. Survivors have recounted how the ferry tilted dramatically after a suspected engine-room failure, giving passengers little time to secure life jackets, leading to a rapid sinking. Some were left clinging to pieces of debris in the water.

With daylight approaching, search and rescue teams are preparing to resume operations in hopes of finding more survivors or recovering bodies. Local hospitals in Gilimanuk and Jembrana are treating the rescued, with medical experts reporting that the injured are in critical but stable condition.

This incident once again underscores the vulnerabilities associated with maritime travel in Indonesia, where safety regulations frequently lag behind the high demand for ferry transportation.

For further updates, you can refer to the accident details here.

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