The ferry disaster occurred late Wednesday night when the vessel, carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members, sank while navigating from Banyuwangi on Java Island to Bali. The National Search and Rescue Agency reported that 31 individuals have been rescued so far, but more remain missing, prompting a determined search effort.
Witnesses describe a frantic scene as the ferry listed dangerously before capsizing. Imron, a resident of Banyuwangi, reported that after the ferry tilted sharply multiple times, water flooded the passenger cabin. He managed to escape through a gap and found a life jacket, holding onto it until he was rescued by a fisherman. Another survivor, Bejo Santoso, acted quickly and escaped before the vessel overturned, securing a life jacket just in time.
As the nation mourns, President Prabowo Subianto, currently in Saudi Arabia, has called for an urgent emergency response to aid in rescue efforts. Authorities are investigating potential causes for the tragedy, with preliminary reports indicating possible engine failure or adverse weather conditions at the time of the sinking.
The ferry's route is one of the busiest in Indonesia, frequently utilized by locals traveling between Java and Bali. Images captured by Antara news agency depict ambulances stationed nearby and anxious families awaiting news on their loved ones' fates. The incident has renewed concern over maritime safety in Indonesia, a nation prone to such accidents due to inconsistent enforcement of safety measures.
As rescue missions progress in the Bali Strait, the hope for finding more survivors persists amidst a growing search for answers to prevent future tragedies.
Witnesses describe a frantic scene as the ferry listed dangerously before capsizing. Imron, a resident of Banyuwangi, reported that after the ferry tilted sharply multiple times, water flooded the passenger cabin. He managed to escape through a gap and found a life jacket, holding onto it until he was rescued by a fisherman. Another survivor, Bejo Santoso, acted quickly and escaped before the vessel overturned, securing a life jacket just in time.
As the nation mourns, President Prabowo Subianto, currently in Saudi Arabia, has called for an urgent emergency response to aid in rescue efforts. Authorities are investigating potential causes for the tragedy, with preliminary reports indicating possible engine failure or adverse weather conditions at the time of the sinking.
The ferry's route is one of the busiest in Indonesia, frequently utilized by locals traveling between Java and Bali. Images captured by Antara news agency depict ambulances stationed nearby and anxious families awaiting news on their loved ones' fates. The incident has renewed concern over maritime safety in Indonesia, a nation prone to such accidents due to inconsistent enforcement of safety measures.
As rescue missions progress in the Bali Strait, the hope for finding more survivors persists amidst a growing search for answers to prevent future tragedies.
