**At least four confirmed dead as search operations continue for dozens of missing individuals following a ferry sinking near Bali.**
**Tragedy Strikes: Ferry Disaster in Bali Leaves Four Dead, Many Missing**
**Tragedy Strikes: Ferry Disaster in Bali Leaves Four Dead, Many Missing**
**A ferry tragedy off the coast of Bali has led to multiple casualties and sparked search efforts for missing passengers.**
At least four individuals have been reported dead and many more are unaccounted for after a ferry sank off the coast of Bali, Indonesia, according to local search and rescue authorities. The incident occurred at approximately 23:20 local time (15:35 GMT) on Wednesday, as the vessel was en route to Bali from Banyuwangi on Java's eastern coast, carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members.
As of early morning Thursday, four passengers were discovered clinging to a lifeboat while the search for additional survivors was still in progress. Images released by Antara news agency depicted concerned family members waiting for news, with ambulances on standby along the coastline.
The ferry operator has revealed that the boat had experienced engine troubles just before the sinking, prompting officials to launch an investigation into the incident. This route is frequently traveled by locals between Bali and Java. The four individuals who were rescued are reported to be residents of Banyuwangi, as noted by the Surabaya branch of the National Search and Rescue Agency.
Indonesia is no stranger to maritime accidents, owing to its vast archipelago of roughly 17,000 islands, where the enforcement of safety regulations has historically been lax. This incident follows a previous tragedy in March, in which an Australian woman lost her life when another boat capsized near Bali while carrying 16 passengers.
