Ferry Tragedy Near Bali: 4 Dead, 38 Missing as Vessel Carrying 65 Sinks in Rough Seas

The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, en route from East Java to Bali, capsized in turbulent waters shortly after departure; 23 people rescued, dozens still missing.

Bali, Indonesia – July 3, 2025 — A ferry carrying 65 people sank in the rough waters off Bali’s coast late Wednesday night, leaving four confirmed dead and 38 others still missing, according to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).

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The ill-fated vessel, KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, had just departed from Ketapang port in East Java, heading for Gilimanuk port in Bali, a routine 50-kilometre crossing. It sank roughly 30 minutes after departure, triggering a massive search-and-rescue operation.

The ferry was transporting 53 passengers, 12 crew members, and 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks, the agency said in a statement.

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Search Efforts Ongoing

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As of Thursday morning, 23 people have been rescued, many in an unconscious state after drifting in choppy waters for hours. Rescuers have so far recovered four bodies, confirmed Banyuwangi Police Chief Rama Samtama Putra.

Nine vessels—including two tugboats and two inflatable rescue boats—were deployed overnight, battling waves as high as 2 meters (6.5 feet) to search for survivors in the darkness.

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Recurring Ferry Disasters in Indonesia

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Ferry disasters are tragically frequent in Indonesia, an archipelagic nation of over 17,000 islands, where water transport remains essential but safety regulations are often poorly enforced.

In May, seven tourists died and 34 were injured when a wooden vessel sank in Bengkulu province. Just last month, another tourist boat with 89 passengers capsized off Bali; fortunately, all passengers were rescued. But as this latest tragedy shows, fortune doesn’t always favour the victims.

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Investigation and Safety Concerns

Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the sinking, but preliminary reports suggest rough sea conditions played a significant role. Questions over the vessel’s seaworthiness, crew preparedness, and safety protocols are likely to be part of the official investigation.

As rescue efforts continue, families of the missing wait anxiously for news, while maritime safety once again comes under scrutiny in a country too familiar with such tragedies.

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