Five Confirmed Dead, Search Continues for Dozens Missing After Capsizing in Rough Seas

A ferry capsized overnight in rough seas off the Indonesian island of Bali, resulting in five fatalities and dozens of people missing. Of the 65 individuals on board, 35 were rescued. The remaining 25 are still unaccounted for. Many of the survivors were found unconscious after spending hours in the choppy waters.

The ferry, which was carrying 53 passengers, 12 crew members, and 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks, capsized shortly before midnight on Wednesday. It was traveling from Banyuwangi on the eastern coast of Java to Bali. The National Search and Rescue Agency reported that the vessel sank approximately 25 minutes after departing.

The cause of the accident is currently under investigation, but bad weather or engine trouble are suspected. Search and rescue efforts are focused on the water's surface, as initial victims were discovered in the area between the accident site and Gilimanuk port.

Relatives of the passengers have gathered at the departure port, expressing distress and seeking assistance from local authorities. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who was in Saudi Arabia, has ordered an immediate emergency response. The cabinet secretary indicated that the capsizing was likely due to adverse weather conditions, although a ferry operator reported engine issues prior to the sinking.

Nine boats have been deployed to search for the missing passengers and crew. The transport ministry has confirmed that all passengers were Indonesian citizens, with no foreign nationals involved. The search and rescue operation was hampered by strong waves and darkness overnight, but improved conditions in the morning aided in the discovery of more missing individuals.

The port's on-duty officer witnessed the sinking of the ferry before rescue teams were alerted. The ferry was initially unreachable by radio, but was later contacted by other vessels from the same company, which reported the ship was already tilting. Four survivors managed to save themselves using the ferry's lifeboat.

Ferry accidents are a recurring issue in Indonesia, an archipelago where ferries are a common mode of transportation and safety regulations are sometimes inadequate. The journey from Java to Bali typically takes about an hour. Previous incidents include the death of an Australian woman and injury of another person in a boat capsizing off the Bali coast earlier this year, and the deaths of over 150 people in a 2018 ferry sinking on the island of Sumatra.