Ferry mishap - Search extension over 20 missing

Banyuwangi, E Java (ANTARA) - Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) revealed plans to propose a second extension of the search period, as 20 remain missing after the Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry sank in Bali Strait on July 2.

Deputy for Search and Rescue Operations and Preparedness at Basarnas, Ribut Eko Suyanto, told journalists here on Thursday evening that the extension is being considered for humanitarian reasons.

He remarked that the agency had previously extended the search period, initially set for three days from Wednesday, July 7, to Friday, July 11, but 20 victims have yet to be found since the ferry accident occurred on July 2.

"The government will not stay silent. We, the SAR agency, will propose another extension of the search period. May it be extended, and we are going to announce it tomorrow (on Friday)," Suyanto remarked.

As reported earlier, the East Java police's disaster victim identification (DVI) team disclosed that a Malaysian national was confirmed to be among the victims in the Tunu Pramata Jaya ferry disaster.

The deceased is identified as Fauzey Bin Awang, 58, based on the DVI team's medical examination and the victim's wallet and identity card.

As of Thursday evening, or the ninth day of search operations, the SAR command center in Ketapang Port reported 15 confirmed deaths, 30 survivors, and 20 people still missing in the ferry mishap.

Local SAR coordinator Wahyu Setia Budi earlier stated that the roll-on/roll-off ferry was carrying 53 passengers, 12 crew members, and 22 vehicles when it departed Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi, East Java, at 10:56 p.m. local time on July 2, 2025.

The vessel sank en route to Gilimanuk Port in Bali at around 11:35 p.m. local time on the same day.

In response to the tragedy, President Prabowo Subianto has directed all relevant government agencies to leave no stone unturned in rescuing the remaining passengers and crew of the ill-fated ferry.