Four dead, dozens missing after ferry sinks off Bali
Summary
The boat was carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members when it sank at 23:20 local time (15:35 GMT) on Wednesday while on its way to Bali from Banyuwangi on the eastern coast of Java island, the Surabaya office of the National Search and Rescue Agency said. Marine accidents are frequent in Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago of around 17,000 islands, where uneven enforcement of safety regulations is a longstanding concern. At least four people have died and dozens are missing after a ferry sank off Indonesia's tourist island of Bali, rescuers said. Four survivors who were found on a lifeboat were all residents of Banyuwangi, the Surabaya search and rescue team said. Photos published by Antara news agency showed ambulances on standby and residents waiting for updates by the roadside. The ferry operator told local media that the vessel had reported engine trouble shortly before it sank. An Australian woman died in March after a boat capsized off Bali with 16 people on board. The vessel's route is often used by locals going between the islands of Java and Bali. Twenty-nine survivors have been rescued, authorities say, as the search continues.
