KNKT details three-stage probe into KMP Tunu sinking

Banyuwangi, East Java (ANTARA) - Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), Soejanto Tjahjono, outlined three stages of investigation to determine the exact cause of the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sinking in the Bali Strait on July 2.

"We have conducted the first phase by interviewing several surviving passengers and crew members," he stated on Tuesday (July 8).

In the first phase of the investigation, his side also held discussions with the maritime company.

Moreover, KNKT officers are investigating the operator of the Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi.

The committee has also obtained video footage showing the loading of vehicles onto the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya before it departed from Ketapang Port for Gilimanuk Port (Bali), Tjahjono stated.

"Furthermore, we will question the Indonesian Classification Bureau (BKI) in Jakarta for information regarding the ship's history during its last maintenance (docking) in October 2024. We will inquire about maintenance findings and operational documents," he noted.

So far, KNKT has received information indicating that large waves were a factor in the sinking of the KMP Tunu.

"We are still assessing whether the ship's design can handle waves of that height. We cannot confirm anything because we have to determine the ship's design," he stated.

According to Tjahjono, the next stage will involve analysis, followed by findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

"Regarding the timeline, the work can take from three days to two weeks, depending on the complexity. We are also collaborating with universities," he stated.

KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya was carrying 53 passengers, 12 crew members, and 22 vehicles when it sank about 30 minutes after departing from Ketapang Port to Gilimanuk Port.

As of Tuesday evening, 30 survivors had been found, 10 died, and 25 remained missing.

The Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has decided to extend the search for victims by three days, from July 9 to July 11.

The extension was made because many victims are still missing and need to be evacuated, while considering the safety of the SAR team involved.