Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has mobilized a large-scale search and rescue operation after the Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry sank in stormy waters of the Bali Strait late Wednesday. The vessel was traveling between Java and Bali with 65 people onboard when it encountered severe weather, according to officials.
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya confirmed President Subianto's directive to prioritize saving lives, with joint teams from Bali and East Java combing the maritime boundary area. Bali Search and Rescue Office head I Nyoman Sidakarya reported coordinated efforts using ships and aircraft to locate survivors.
Latest figures from Surabaya's Search and Rescue Office reveal 31 survivors rescued, four fatalities confirmed, and 30 individuals still missing. The ferry had been carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members along with vehicles during its routine inter-island crossing.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges in Indonesia's maritime transportation network, which connects over 17,000 islands. Analysts note improved safety protocols in recent years, but extreme weather remains a critical risk factor for regional travel.
