A massive search and rescue operation is underway after the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry sank in the Bali Strait late Wednesday night, with 31 people rescued, four confirmed dead, and 30 still missing, Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) confirmed on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
The ferry, carrying 65 people − 53 passengers and 12 crew members − and 22 vehicles, departed from Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi, East Java, bound for Gilimanuk, Bali at 10:56 pm on Wednesday. A distress call was received at 11:20 pm by the Port Authority Office (KSOP) of Tanjungwangi, and by 11:35 pm the vessel was declared sunk. Basarnas was alerted at 11:40 pm and immediately launched SAR operations under the coordination of a SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC).
“At 11:00 am today, we can confirm that 31 people have survived, four have been found dead, and 30 are still missing,” Vice Marshal Mohammad Syafii, Head of Basarnas, said on Thursday.
“The identities of the victims are being verified by the field teams in coordination with the Police Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Unit, the port authority, and other agencies.” he added.
Basarnas has deployed extensive assets to the search zone, including Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) and Rigid Buoyancy Boats (RBB) from Banyuwangi and Jembrana SAR posts, as well as larger vessels such as KN SAR Permadi and KN SAR Arjuna from Surabaya and Denpasar respectively.
Supporting agencies include the Indonesian Navy, the Police’s Sea and Air Unit (Polairud), the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Harbor and Port Authority Office (KSOP), Sea and Coast Guard Unit (KPLP), Police’s Mobile Brigade Unit (Satbrimob), local and national SAR volunteers, ferry operators, and local fishermen.
To enhance aerial observation and coordination, Basarnas is deploying the Dauphin AS365 HR-3606 helicopter to Banyuwangi and has mobilized 13 members of the Basarnas Special Group (BSG) with underwater rescue expertise.
Challenging weather conditions are hampering operations, with BMKG reporting waves of up to 2.5 meters, strong winds, and powerful currents.
“We strongly urge the public not to spread unverified information,” Syafii emphasized. “Official updates will only be issued by Basarnas through the SAR Mission Coordinator and our official channels.”
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