Search Ongoing for Dozens Missing After Tunu Pratama Jaya Ship Sinks in Bali Strait

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), together with a joint team, is continuing the search for victims of the Motor Passenger Ship (KMP) Tunu Pratama Jaya, which sank in the Bali Strait on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

On the second day of the operation, the focus remains on locating those still missing. So far, the wreckage of the vessel has not been found.

“The search has been ongoing since 08:00 and will continue until sunset. As for Basarnas’ search and rescue equipment, it will operate until 22:00,” said Rear Admiral Eko Suyatno, Deputy of Operations and Preparedness at Basarnas, when contacted on Friday afternoon, July 4, 2025.

According to Eko, the latest data shows that six victims have been found deceased. The search is still underway for around 30 others who remain unaccounted for. “We are still in the process of verifying the data. We can’t simply match names without proper validation,” he explained.

The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sank on the night of Wednesday, July 2, 2025, while sailing from Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi Regency to Gilimanuk Port in Jembrana Regency, Bali. Based on the ship's manifest, it was carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members, along with 22 vehicles.

Following the report of the sinking, Basarnas launched an immediate search. The operation has been divided into two sectors: the Ketapang area and the Gilimanuk area. Each sector is supported by large vessels, including the Indonesian Navy warship KRI Tongkol and the Basarnas search and rescue vessel SAR Permadi, which were deployed to the southern part of the Bali Strait due to high waves.

“Currents from north to south are quite strong, and the wind is blowing at over 10 to 15 knots. That’s why we positioned the larger vessels in the south to assist smaller boats and anticipate any necessary maneuvers,” Eko said.

He added that he is directly overseeing the coordination of the search effort, which involves the military, police, Ministry of Transportation, Port Authority, and local coastal communities.

The exact location of the ship when it sank has yet to be confirmed. The team is currently using the last known position as a reference point. “Our priority is rescuing anyone who may still be on the sea surface. We are also marking the area where the ship went down,” Eko said.

Basarnas will continue the operation for up to seven days after the incident. Any decision to extend or end the mission will be made in consultation with the ministry and the victims’ families.

“If the ministry requests us to keep going, we are ready to continue,” Eko stated.

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