Six dead and dozens missing after Indonesian ferry capsizes

Indonesian authorities intensified on Monday a search and rescue operation for dozens of people missing in response to the loss of contact and sinking of a passenger/ro-ro ship in the waters off Tanjung Selatan, South Kalimantan, around Masalembu Island.

Six people have died and many others have been rescued from a capsized Indonesian ship, authorities have said.

On Sunday, search teams managed to rescue 107 people and recover six bodies.

Based on preliminary data as of Sunday, the ship was sailing from Surabaya to Banjarmasin and was reported missing at around 2:05 a.m, the Indonesian National Police said.

The ship’s last known location was estimated to be around Masalembu Island, approximately 86 nautical miles from Trisakti Port in Banjarmasin.

Preliminary data shows that the number of people onboard was 243, including 30 crew members.

A joint task force involving Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, navy, maritime police and other parties has been set up for the rescue effort.

The National Search and Rescue Agency or Basarnas, the Indonesian Navy, the Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP), the local government, and all relevant elements continue to work to expedite the search process at the location.

“The INP provides full support for the SAR operations,” the Indonesian National Police (INP) said. “Our primary priority is the search, rescue, and evacuation of all remaining passengers and crew.”

In response to the incident, Indonesian authorities have established information service posts at the Gapura Surya Nusantara (GSN) Terminal, Tanjung Perak Port. The aim is to serve the families of passengers seeking information.

To facilitate the search process, officers at the integrated post have displayed a list of passenger manifests, crew members, and vehicle manifests.

Furthermore, this integrated post serves as a forum and a means for people whose family members were passengers on the ship to file complaints.

Since the post opened, several families of victims have begun arriving to confirm the names of their relatives who were believed to have been on board the ship when contact was lost.