Balinese waters turned tragic this Wednesday night when the inter-island ferry Tunu Pratama Jaya sank in the Bali Strait amid fierce storms. President Prabowo Subianto swiftly ordered Basarnas, Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, to prioritize rescuing all 65 people on board — 53 passengers and 12 crew members — plus drivers of a dozen vehicles.
"Every life counts. The search must not stop until everyone is safe," said Teddy Indra Wijaya, Cabinet Secretary.
Teams from Bali and East Java launched a joint operation near the maritime border, combining boats, helicopters and sonar equipment. As of Thursday morning, rescuers confirmed 31 survivors rescued from life rafts and debris.
Tragically, four passengers have been confirmed dead, and 30 remain missing, said Nanang Sigit, head of the Search and Rescue Office in Surabaya. Efforts continue against waves stretching over two meters.
Local authorities have set up emergency shelters and counseling for families at Gilimanuk Port, while meteorologists warn of continued rough seas. Digital volunteers are using social media to map last-known locations and coordinate private vessels joining the search.
For travelers and communities across the G20, this incident highlights the urgent need for improved weather forecasting, maritime safety standards and rapid-response networks. Indonesia, an archipelago of over 17,000 islands, faces unique challenges — and the world is watching how it turns tragedy into resilience.
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Indonesian president orders immediate rescue of ferry victims
cgtn.com
