A boat carrying 16 people capsized in rough waters off Indonesia’s Bali island, leaving an Australian woman dead and at least one other person injured, authorities confirmed on Saturday.
According to the AFP, the vessel, Sea Dragon 2, was en route to the popular island of Nusa Penida on Friday morning when it was struck by large waves, causing it to overturn, said Ida Bagus Putra Sumerta, the island’s police chief.
“The passengers, including 11 Australian tourists, were rescued by a nearby boat. Unfortunately, one tourist was pronounced dead at the hospital,” Sumerta said. Another individual sustained burn injuries and was treated at a local medical facility.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed the fatality and injuries, stating it was assisting the affected families.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,” the department said in a statement.
Marine accidents are frequent in Indonesia due to weak safety regulations. The country, an archipelago of approximately 17,000 islands, has a history of tragic ferry disasters. In 2018, over 150 people drowned when a ferry sank in Lake Toba, one of the world’s deepest lakes.
Authorities have urged operators to enforce stricter safety measures to prevent further tragedies at sea.
