Search intensifies after ferry sinks in Bali Strait with dozens aboard

Responders raced to search for people Thursday, the day after an Indonesian ferry sank crossing the Bali Strait.

The ferry had 53 passengers and 12 crew members aboard at the time it sank, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation. As of 10 p.m. local time, 31 people had been rescued, while four were declared dead.

Search and rescue operations were hampered by waves of 6-7 feet, and strong winds and currents around the location of the incident, according to the ministry.

How has the government responded? Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi on Thursday called for the rescue agencies to speed up their efforts while prioritizing safety and coordination. At the time of the accident, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was in Saudi Arabia for a state visit and an Islamic pilgrimage. He was briefed on the tragedy and ordered staff to help with the rescue, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said in a news release from the president’s office.

How did a ferry tip over during its regular run? Although the weather was bad, it wasn’t immediately clear exactly how the ferry sank. Dudy on Wednesday called for an investigation into the accident.