Indonesian authorities have launched a large‑scale rescue operation after a passenger ferry capsized off the coast of Central Java early Tuesday morning, leaving 129 people unaccounted for. The vessel, carrying over 200 passengers and crew, was en route from the island of Madura to the mainland when it encountered sudden high winds and treacherous currents.
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) deployed helicopters, patrol boats, and a team of divers to the scene, while the Indonesian Navy dispatched two frigates to assist in the effort. As of the latest update, 71 survivors have been rescued, and 45 bodies have been recovered. The remaining 129 individuals are still missing, and the search is expected to continue for several more days.
President Joko Widodo expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and ordered a thorough investigation into the ferry’s safety compliance. The tragedy has reignited public debate over Indonesia’s maritime safety standards, with calls for stricter enforcement of vessel inspections and better emergency response protocols.