Indonesian president orders immediate rescue of Bali Strait ferry victims

JAKARTA -- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has ordered the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) to immediately rescue the passengers and crew of the inter-island ferry Tunu Pratama Jaya, which sank in the Bali Strait due to severe weather.

Teddy Indra Wijaya, cabinet secretary, stated that the president issued the directive directly from Saudi Arabia, where he is performing the Umrah pilgrimage and undertaking an official visit.

"From the Holy Land, he immediately instructed Basarnas and related agencies to initiate an emergency response and rescue the passengers and crew as quickly as possible," Teddy said on Thursday.

The president emphasized that victim rescue must be the top priority in the emergency operation, Teddy added.

Ferry Tunu Pratama Jaya sank Wednesday night during its voyage from Ketapang Port on the eastern tip of Java Island to Gilimanuk Port in Bali, carrying 53 passengers, 12 crew members, and a dozen vehicles.

Search and rescue operations have since been launched from both Bali Island and East Java, as the incident occurred near the maritime boundary between the two regions. I Nyoman Sidakarya, head of the Bali Search and Rescue Office, confirmed the joint efforts.

The Banyuwangi Search and Rescue Office deployed more than 20 personnel, along with a rigid inflatable boat and one additional vessel to assist in the operation, Vatelehan said.

"Strong winds, large waves, and powerful currents are currently hampering the rescue efforts," he added.

Currently, the accident has left four killed and 30 remain missing, said Nanang Sigit, head of the Search and Rescue Office in Surabaya, East Java, adding that 31 have survived.