Search continues for missing after Indonesia ferry sinks in Bali Strait

Indonesian rescue teams continue to search for 30 people missing after a ferry sank near Bali, with six confirmed dead and 29 rescued, amid difficult weather and sea conditions.

Indonesian rescue teams resumed operations on Friday to locate 30 people still missing after the ferry KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sank in the Bali Strait, officials said.

The vessel was carrying 65 Indonesian nationals when it sank about 30 minutes after departing East Java for Bali on Wednesday night.

Twenty-nine survivors were rescued on Thursday before the search was temporarily suspended due to poor visibility. At least six people have been confirmed dead.

The rescue efforts involve ships, helicopters, and hundreds of personnel, but strong currents and rain continue to complicate operations, said Ribut Eko Suyatno, an official with the national search and rescue agency.

Transportation authorities confirmed that the ferry was not overloaded and stated that an investigation into the cause of the incident would begin after the search concludes.

Ferries are widely used across Indonesia’s archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, though maritime safety lapses, including overcrowding and insufficient safety equipment, remain a concern.

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