Early Thursday morning, a passenger ferry en route to Indonesia’s famed Bali Island sank off the coast of Banyuwangi in East Java, local police report. Of the 65 people on board, 23 were pulled to safety, while at least four lives were tragically lost.
"23 were rescued, 4 dead," said Rama Samtama Putra, police chief of Banyuwangi, updating reporters at 7:50 a.m. (0050 GMT). Rescue teams are continuing to search for any remaining passengers amid challenging sea conditions.
Ferry travel is a backbone of Indonesia’s transport network, linking the archipelago’s thousands of islands. Yet incidents like Thursday’s sinking highlight ongoing challenges in maritime safety, from aging vessels to unpredictable weather.
Authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause of the sinking. Meanwhile, local officials are reinforcing safety checks on ferry operators and coordinating with search-and-rescue units to prevent future tragedies.
For young global travelers and digital nomads, this serves as a stark reminder to stay informed about local transport conditions and emergency protocols. As Indonesia continues to invest in its maritime infrastructure, lessons from this tragedy are driving efforts to strengthen safety standards across the region.
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At least 4 dead, 23 rescued in Indonesia's ferry sinking: local police
cgtn.com
