Tragedy Near Bali: Ferry Carrying 65 People Sinks, 2 Dead, 43 Still Missing

Bali: A major accident has happened near Bali, an important tourist destination of Indonesia. The ferry (boat) carrying about 65 people to the island capsized at night. So far 2 people have died in the accident, while 41 people are reported missing. 20 people have been rescued, while the search operation is going on for the missing people. AFP has quoted the country's National Search and Rescue Agency as saying that the ferry full of passengers sank in Bali Strait at around 11.20 pm local time. It had left for the famous tourist destination from Indonesia's main island Java.

The boat sank within half an hour of departure

The Java-based agency said, according to the boat's data, a total of 53 passengers and 12 crew members were on board. It was told that the boat sank about half an hour after starting its journey from Ketapang port in Java. It was going towards Gilimanuk port in Bali, which was a journey of 50 kilometers.

High waves rising in the sea

Banyuwang Police Chief Rama Samtama told the Associated Press that the rescue team has so far found two bodies and 20 people have been rescued. Many of the rescued people were found unconscious after floating in the wavy water for hours. 9 boats, including two tug boats and two inflatable boats, have been engaged in the search for the missing people since night. During this time, 2 meter high waves kept rising in the sea, due to which the rescue team is facing difficulties.

Boat accidents in Indonesia

Boat accidents are common in Indonesia, a Southeast Asian country with 17,000 islands, due in part to lax safety standards. Due to the small number of islands, ferries are used to transport a large number of people. In March this year, a boat capsized in rough waters off the coast of Bali, killing an Australian woman and injuring at least one other person.