At least 61 people are missing after a passenger ferry capsized in rough seas near Indonesia's Bali late Wednesday, according to local authorities. Search and rescue teams continue combing waters off the island's northern coast amid challenging weather conditions.
The vessel, carrying 65 passengers and crew, sank abruptly during a routine inter-island journey. Four survivors were rescued by fishermen shortly after the incident. 'We're deploying all available resources, including helicopters and patrol boats, to locate survivors,' said I Made Alit, head of Bali's search and rescue agency.
Maritime accidents remain a concern in Indonesia's vast archipelago, where ferries serve as crucial transportation links between islands. The incident has renewed discussions about safety standards and emergency preparedness in one of Asia's most popular tourist destinations.
Families of missing passengers gathered at Bali's Serangan Port awaiting updates, while tourism operators emphasized that the incident occurred outside main tourist transit routes. The Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee has launched an investigation into the cause of the sinking.
