Rescue operations in Indonesia are ongoing as authorities search for 32 individuals who went missing following the sinking of a ferry that was en route to Bali on Wednesday night. Tragically, the incident has already claimed the lives of at least four people.
The ferry set sail from a Java port shortly before 11 p.m. local time, carrying a total of 53 passengers alongside 12 crew members. Though the journey to Bali is usually completed in under an hour, the crew issued a distress signal at 11:20 p.m. and the vessel sank just 15 minutes later, officials reported.
By Thursday morning, the search and rescue agency based in Surabaya, East Java, confirmed that four bodies had been recovered. The cause of the ferry’s sinking remains under investigation.
As of early Thursday afternoon, 31 people had been successfully rescued as part of a coordinated effort involving nine boats, a helicopter, and local fishermen, despite challenging sea conditions with waves exceeding six feet. Families anxiously waiting for news have gathered at the Banyuwangi port in East Java.
This tragic event highlights the risks associated with maritime travel in the region. Local authorities continue their search efforts with hope that more survivors will be found amidst the difficult conditions at sea. The community’s resilience is evident as families and rescuers come together during this challenging time.