6 dead, 30 missing after Indonesian ferry capsizes near Bali
The boat carrying 65 passengers sank in the Bali Strait as it sailed to the famous holiday destination from Java
At least six people were dead and dozens unaccounted for on Thursday after a ferry sank in rough seas on its way to the Indonesian resort island Bali, according to rescue authorities who said 29 survivors had been plucked from the water so far.
Rescuers were racing to find 30 people still missing at sea after the vessel carrying 65 passengers and crew sank before midnight on Wednesday, as it sailed to the popular holiday destination from Indonesia’s main island Java.
“The ferry tilted and immediately sank,” survivor Eka Toniansyah told reporters at a Bali hospital.
“Most of the passengers were from Indonesia. I was with my father. My father is dead.”
Rescue officials said a sixth victim – a three-year-old boy – was found dead on Thursday evening.
“All search and rescue equipment were utilised … resulting in the discovery of 29 survivors, and six (victims) who were dead,” national search and rescue agency operations official Ribut Eko Suyatno told reporters.