At least four people have tragically lost their lives after a ferry carrying 65 passengers sank en route to Bali Island, Indonesia. Local authorities confirmed on Thursday that 23 individuals have been rescued from the waters.
“Twenty-three were rescued, four are confirmed dead,” stated Rama Samtama Putra, the police chief of Banyuwangi, a town in East Java. He provided this update at 7:50 a.m. local time (0050 GMT), emphasizing the ongoing search and rescue efforts.
The ferry departed from East Java and was headed towards the popular tourist destination of Bali when it encountered difficulties. The cause of the sinking remains under investigation, while rescue teams continue to search for the remaining passengers.
Indonesia, an archipelago with over 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferry transportation. Unfortunately, maritime accidents are not uncommon due to factors like overcrowding and lax safety standards.
Authorities urge all maritime operators to adhere strictly to safety protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future. Families of the missing passengers await news as rescue operations proceed.
