JAKARTA, Indonesia. Indonesian rescuers are searching for 43 people still missing after a ferry sank in rough seas near the island of Bali late Wednesday night, according to the country’s National Search and Rescue Agency.
The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, which was carrying 65 people, sank roughly 30 minutes after departing from Ketapang port in East Java. The vessel was headed for Gilimanuk port in Bali, a short 50-kilometer (30-mile) journey.
On board were 53 passengers, 12 crew members, and 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks, the agency said in a statement.
Banyuwangi police chief Rama Samtama Putra confirmed that two bodies have been recovered and 20 people have been rescued so far, many found unconscious after spending hours drifting in the turbulent waters.
Rescue teams, using nine boats including two tugboats and two inflatable crafts, have been scouring the area since Wednesday night. They continue to face high waves of up to two meters (6.5 feet), hampering efforts.
Ferry accidents are a recurring tragedy in Indonesia, a nation comprising more than 17,000 islands, where sea travel is common and safety regulations are often poorly enforced.
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