Rescuers reported that a ferry sank off the tourist island of Bali in Indonesia, killing at least four passengers and leaving scores more missing.
On its route to Bali from Banyuwangi on the eastern coast of Java island, the boat sank Wednesday around 23:20 local time (15:35 GMT), carrying 12 crew members and 53 passengers, according to the National Search and Rescue Agency’s Surabaya office.
As the hunt for further survivors continues, four people were discovered aboard a lifeboat in the early hours of Thursday. Residents were waiting for updates by the side of the road, and ambulances were on standby, according to photos released by the Antara news agency.
Shortly before it sunk, the boat reported engine issues, the operator informed local media. Locals frequently choose the vessel’s route when travelling between the Java and Bali islands. According to the Surabaya search and rescue team, all four of the survivors lived in Banyuwangi.
In Indonesia, a vast archipelago of around 17,000 islands, where inconsistent implementation of safety laws is a long-standing problem, marine accidents are common. In March, a boat carrying 16 people collapsed off Bali, killing an Australian lady.
Also Read:
In Texas, a Deadly Measles Outbreak Does little to Dispel Vaccine Skepticism
