On July 5th, local time, Eko Suyatno, the Deputy Head of Search and Rescue Affairs at the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency and Deputy Commander of the Indonesian Navy’s Marine Corps, announced that a joint search and rescue team had successfully identified an object resembling a shipwreck underwater, which matched the shape of a ferry. The object was located between 40 to 50 meters deep in the water. However, he also stated that further confirmation would require the use of other equipment. Tonight, the joint search and rescue team will continue their efforts, using sonar and remotely operated vehicles for further verification.
If confirmed, diving operations will commence on the morning of July 6th.
In the early hours of July 3rd, the Indonesian ferry “Tupang Prataman Jaya” sank in the Bili Strait while en route from Port Jawa Barat to Port Limajen. At the time of the incident, the vessel was carrying 65 people, including 53 passengers and 12 crew members. So far, over 30 survivors have been found, along with 6 bodies. Despite adverse weather conditions, the search and rescue operation is still ongoing. (CCTV Reporter: Li Lin)
A passenger ferry sank in the Bili Strait, Indonesia