Bali Mourns Shipwreck Victims As Tourists Question Island’s Transportation Safety   

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At least four people have died and at least 38 people are still missing after the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry sank off the coast of Bali late on Wednesday, 2nd July.

The ferry, crossing from East Java’s Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi, sank less than 30 minutes after its departure for Gilimanuk Harbour in Bali.

Indonesia and the world have been left in shock after a ferry carrying at least 65 people, including 53 passengers and 12 crew, sank at 11.20 pm on Wednesday, 2nd July. 

Initial reports confirm that 29 people have been rescued, while four have been confirmed to have died. The four confirmed deceased, two men and two women, are all believed to be Indonesian citizens.

Initial reports indicate that there were no foreign nationals on board the ferry. A Search and Rescue mission is underway to locate any survivors, though many of those who were recovered from the water were unconscious after floating in cold and turbulent waters for hours. 

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While 23 people have been recovered from the water, the ship’s manifest shows that at least 32 people are still missing. However, this figure may be higher, as it is not uncommon for the manifest list of ships operating in Indonesia to differ significantly from the actual number of people on board. The ferry is also reported to have been transporting 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks. 

Official statements have been issued by the President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, who is currently on a state visit to Saudi Arabia. The statement, conveyed by Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, on behalf of the president, shares, “The President received a report and information from the Homeland that there was an accident involving the sinking of KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya in the Bali Strait due to bad weather. The ship departed from Ketapang Port on Wednesday night.”

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The statement continues, “From the Holy Land, he immediately ordered the ranks of Basarnas [Search and Rescue] and related agencies to immediately carry out an emergency response to rescue the passengers and crew as quickly as possible.” 

The Head of Surabaya Search and Rescue Office, Nanang Sigit, told reporters that while some survivors were able to board lifeboats, others were rescued by nearby ships and boats passing by the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry at the time of the incident. Sigit told reporters, “The joint SAR team is currently focused on searching for 38 passengers who are still missing in the ongoing search operation.”

A statement from Search and Rescue Operations and Training Director Edy Prakoso confirmed that the Search and Rescue Special Group team, which has underwater rescue training, has been dispatched from Jakarta and is scheduled to arrive at the site on Thursday afternoon. Prakoso told reporters, “In addition, the HR-3606 helicopter was also flown from Atang Sendjaja Air Force Base to Banyuwangi to assist with air monitoring.”

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Further official statements from the joint Search and Rescue team are expected in due course. The joint Search and Rescue operation consists of teams from Barsarnas, the police, the army, the Ministry of Transportation, the provincial governments of East Java and Bali, as well as volunteer organisations who will continue to scour the Bali Strait for survivors. 

The tragedy comes just weeks after a fast boat, about to depart from Nusa Lembongan to Bali, capsized and sank while carrying over 80 tourists. While there were no fatalities or serious injuries in the incident, the sinking of the Tanis Boat at Tanjung Sanghyang Port sent shockwaves through Bali holidaymakers and the wider community. 

The incident prompted Australian authorities to update travel safety advice for tourists traveling to Indonesia, ordering travellers to “exercise a high degree of caution’ when visiting the country.

The updated travel warning from Smartraveler explains, “We’ve reviewed our advice for Indonesia and continue to advise exercising a high degree of caution. Australians have drowned in coastal areas due to rough seas and strong rip currents at popular tourist beaches, including in Bali. Many beaches are unpatrolled.”

The Bali Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BBMKG) has issued weather and wave warnings for 3rd – 6th July, urging the public, especially tourists, fishing crews, and those traveling by boat, to be extremely cautious of conditions at sea.

Forecasts suggest that wave heights could reach 4 metres in the southern waters of Bali, including the Badung Strait, Southern Bali Strait, Southern Lombok Strait, and the Southern Waters of Bali Province.

The BBMKG urges the public, shipping operators, and fishermen to continue monitoring the latest weather developments and adjust plans accordingly. The latest maritime weather information can be accessed via the official website. Tourists can also check updates from the BBMKG through its Instagram account. 

Reporting on number survivors accurate as reported by authorities at 4.15pm Bali Time 03/07/25