Ferry lost in fatal capsizing off Bali carried more people than first reported, local officials confirm

Authorities in Indonesia have confirmed that a passenger vessel that capsized in heavy seas off Bali late last month had more people on board than what was initially reported.

A total of 76 passengers and crew are now believed to have been on board the 50-metre Yunicee when it overturned in the Bali Strait as it was approaching the port of Gillimanuk at 19:20 local time on June 29.

The subsequent search and rescue (SAR) operation resulted in 51 survivors and seven deceased individuals being pulled out of the water as of Thursday, July 1. Some of the survivors were found unconscious after having been adrift for hours following the capsizing.

Eleven individuals were earlier reported as missing, though the figure later climbed to 18 after officials of the Basarnas national SAR agency spent days working to establish the exact number of people who were on board the ill-fated vessel.

The officials clarified that the ferry was not overloaded and had remained seaworthy.

The search area has been further expanded as the effort to locate the missing individuals entered its seventh day. However, officials said the operation might be terminated within the week if no new progress is made.

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