What should have been a short one-hour ferry trip turned tragic on Wednesday night as the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry sank en route from East Java’s Ketapang port to Bali’s Gilimanuk port, leaving 5 people dead and 29 still missing at sea.
The ferry, carrying 53 passengers, 12 crew members, and 22 vehicles, sank just 25 minutes after departure, around 11:20PM local time, according to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS).
“I was with my father. My father is dead.”
Rescue Efforts Underway
So far, 30 survivors have been pulled from the water. Search operations are ongoing, involving 54 rescue personnel, the navy, marine police, helicopters, and 15 rescue boats. Conditions have made the search difficult — with waves up to 2.5 metres, strong currents, and limited visibility through the night.
“The ship is fully submerged. There’s a possibility that some people are still inside,” said Surabaya search and rescue chief Nanang Sigit.
Rescue teams are now following ocean currents and expanding their search area toward Bali’s shoreline.
Youngest Victims Identified
Among the 6 confirmed dead are a 3-year-old boy and his mother, whose bodies were recovered Thursday afternoon. Their remains, along with others, are being returned to families in Banyuwangi, East Java.
What Caused the Sinking?
While investigations are ongoing, early reports suggest the ferry may have leaked water through the engine room, causing it to tilt and capsize. Survivors recounted how the ship filled with water rapidly, leaving many passengers struggling to escape in the dark.
“I managed to climb up and float with others using life jackets.”
Compounding the tragedy, the ferry was reportedly unreachable by radio at the time of the incident, further delaying response efforts.
Why Does This Keep Happening in Indonesia?
Ferry disasters are tragically common in Indonesia, an archipelago of over 17,000 islands. Boats are often the main mode of transport, especially in remote regions — but safety lapses, overloading, bad weather, and aging vessels continue to plague the industry.
In 2018, more than 150 people drowned when a ferry sank in Lake Toba.
What Travellers Should Know Before Boarding a Ferry in Indonesia
If you or someone you know is travelling in Indonesia or Southeast Asia soon, here are some key tips:
- Check the weather forecast before any boat trip.
- Avoid ferry travel at night or during storms.
- Confirm that life jackets are available onboard.
- Travel with basic survival gear (torchlight, ID, phone in waterproof case).
- Buy travel insurance that covers emergencies, especially in coastal regions.
Final Thoughts
This heartbreaking incident has not only shaken local families but also raised concerns about ferry safety in one of the world’s most visited tourist regions.
“We were just crossing to Bali. I never imagined this would happen,” a relative said while weeping at the port in Banyuwangi.
With the high volume of traffic between Java and Bali, the Indonesian government must take urgent action to improve maritime safety standards — so that what was meant to be a short island crossing doesn’t become a tragedy.
Please note that if you're travelling to Bali or Indonesia soon — share this article with your loved ones. Stay informed, stay safe.
Yue Leng Chong (yldkssyq@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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