Ferry capsizing off Bali kills seven; 11 others missing

Seven people are confirmed dead while another eleven have been reported missing after a Ro-Pax ferry capsized and sank off the Indonesian island of Bali on Tuesday, June 29.

The 50-metre Yunicee listed heavily and then overturned in rough seas in the Bali Strait some 1.6 kilometres off the port town of Gilimanuk at 19:20 local time on Tuesday.

The capsizing occurred approximately 30 minutes after the ferry sailed out of Ketapang in East Java.

Marine search and rescue (SAR) teams including personnel from the country’s Basarnas SAR agency immediately deployed to the area and subsequently pulled 39 survivors out of the water.

Seven bodies were found at the scene while 11 other individuals are still unaccounted for.

Authorities said the search for the missing victims is still ongoing even as the area continues to experience strong currents and wave heights of up to four metres.

The ferry was also transporting vehicle cargo at the time of the capsizing.

Local transportation safety officials have since launched an investigation into the incident.