Ferry Sinks Near Bali, Indonesia: 5 Dead and Dozens Missing

(The Post News)– At least 5 people died, and many are still missing after a ferry sank in rough seas near Bali. Rescue teams have saved 31 people so far. Rescuers are racing against time to find 29 people who are still missing after the ferry sank with 65 people on board. The ferry went down before midnight on Wednesday.

A survivor named Eka told reporters that the ferry tilted and sank quickly. Many of the passengers were Indonesian, and Eka’s father didn’t survive. The head of the search and rescue agency said they’ve found 5 bodies and 31 survivors. They’re still searching for 29 people. Indonesia’s president ordered an emergency response to the disaster. The cabinet secretary said bad weather caused the accident.

Rescuers initially struggled to reach the ferry due to bad weather. Waves were 2.5 meters high, and strong winds and currents made it hard to rescue people. A team of 54 rescuers was sent to help, along with inflatable boats. A bigger vessel was also sent from Surabaya city. The national search and rescue agency sent a helicopter to help with the rescue efforts.

Rescuers will expand their search area if needed. For now, they’re focusing on the area where the first victims were found. The ferry’s manifest listed 53 passengers and 12 crew members, but it’s unclear if there were more people on board.

The ferry route is one of the busiest in Indonesia and takes about an hour. It’s common for people to travel with cars on this route. Four survivors used the ferry’s lifeboat to save themselves. The ferry was also carrying 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks. Marine accidents are common in Indonesia due to lax safety standards and bad weather. There have been several incidents in recent years.