Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: AFP

A major rescue operation is underway in Indonesia after a ferry carrying dozens of people sank in rough seas between Java and Bali. The incident has left families devastated as they wait for news of their loved ones.

What Happened

The ferry, named KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, was carrying at least 65 people, including passengers and crew members. It started its journey on Wednesday evening from Ketapang port in East Java to Gilimanuk port in Bali. The distance between the two ports is only around 5 km, and the trip usually takes about one hour.
However, just 25 minutes into the journey, the weather turned bad. The sea became rough with strong winds and high waves up to 2.5 meters. Suddenly, the ferry tilted to one side and began to sink.

Survivors Share Heartbreaking Stories

By Friday evening, rescuers had managed to save 29 people from the sea. Sadly, six people were confirmed dead, including a three-year-old boy. Around 30 people are still missing, and their families are desperately hoping they will be found alive.

One survivor, a 27-year-old man named Febriani, shared his painful story. He said he was sitting with his wife, joking and talking, when the ferry started to tilt suddenly.
“The accident was very fast,” he said, tears falling from his eyes. “I asked God to save my wife. We both jumped into the water together, but when I came back up, I could not find her. She slipped away. My wife died but I survived.”

Another passenger said the ferry crew did not have time to help everyone because the boat sank so quickly.

Rescue Operation in Full Swing

More than 300 rescuers have been deployed to search for the missing people. Rescue teams are using inflatable boats, bigger rescue ships, and helicopters to search the sea. On land, rescue units are searching along the beaches of Ketapang and Gilimanuk, hoping that some people may have been washed ashore.

Saad Edhi from the Edhi Welfare Foundation said, “There could be at least eight to ten more people still trapped or missing.” He described the ferry as old and worn out.

The search was stopped overnight due to darkness and dangerous waves but started again early on Friday morning. The rescuers are working hard despite the bad weather, which has made their work even more difficult.

Families Waiting in Tears

Many family members of the missing passengers are waiting near the port, praying for their loved ones. One man, Jumho Maheshwari, left for work early on Wednesday morning while his six family members stayed at home. He later found out that they were all on the ferry when it sank.

“Nothing is left for me now,” he said with a broken voice. “My family is trapped somewhere, and all I can do is pray that they are rescued safely.”

Another resident, Maya Sham Jee, said her brother’s entire family was on the ferry and is still missing. “It is a big tragedy for us. Our world has changed forever,” she said with tears in her eyes. “We are helpless and just watching the rescue teams, hoping they will bring our loved ones back.”

Why These Accidents Happen Often

Indonesia is a country made up of around 17,000 islands. Many people use ferries and boats to travel between islands every day. Unfortunately, accidents like this are common because many boats are old and safety standards are not properly followed. Sometimes, bad weather also causes dangerous situations for boats.

In March this year, a boat carrying 16 people capsized near Bali, killing an Australian woman and injuring others. In 2018, more than 150 people died when a ferry sank in Lake Toba, one of the world’s deepest lakes, on Sumatra island.

Authorities' Next Steps

Police and port officials said the ferry's passenger list showed 53 passengers and 12 crew members. But in Indonesia, it is common for the actual number of people on board to be different from the list. This makes rescue work even more challenging.

The rescue teams have promised that they will not stop searching until every missing person is found. As the search continues, families wait in hope and prayer, wishing to see their loved ones again.