Unraveling the Tragedy on the Bali Ferry
On a seemingly ordinary night in Indonesia's Banyuwangi regency, a ferry voyage turned into a harrowing ordeal marked by courage, heartbreak, and survival. Passengers boarding the ferry to Bali's Gilimanuk port never anticipated the disaster that would unfold just minutes into the journey.
A Chance Encounter with Lasting Bonds
Among the passengers was Bejo Santoso, who found himself sharing a taxi ride to the ferry terminal with a mother and her three-year-old son—both from his own village. As they chatted during the trip, the woman was headed back to her family in Denpasar, where her husband waited, while Bejo was returning to his construction job in Bali.
At the ferry, Bejo helped the child climb the stairs. The mother and son chose to stay inside the cabin due to strong winds on deck, while Bejo opted to sit on the side among the smokers around 10:50 p.m. local time.
The Moment the Ferry Began to Sink
Not long after departure, seasoned passenger 22-year-old Nanda Sinta noticed the boat behaving strangely. A regular traveler on the East Java-Bali route, she knew the ferry’s usual rhythm, but this time, the vessel was stuck at a sharp tilt instead of rocking back and forth with the waves.
Suddenly, water started flooding the lower decks. Panic erupted as passengers realized the ferry was sinking swiftly. Nanda, who couldn't swim, relied on friends to jump into the sea with her, knowing that staying aboard meant almost certain death.
Acts of Courage Amid Chaos
On the deck, Bejo witnessed the unfolding disaster. When the ferry began to submerge, he jumped into the sea along with about 30 others. In the confusion, he caught sight of the mother and child still inside the cabin.
Nearby, Muhamad Kholil and his wife Siti prepared life jackets. Before they could secure them, a wave swept them both into the open water. Unable to swim, Muhamad clung to a group of men, calling out for his wife who was a stronger swimmer and wearing a life jacket.
Despite his desperate calls lasting over an hour, and fighting exhaustion and cold, Muhamad lost hope but held onto the belief his wife survived.
A Bond Forged in Survival
Among the survivors was an elderly man struggling to breathe, who sadly passed away after hours in the water. Demonstrating an extraordinary sense of duty, Bejo tied the man's body to his thigh, determined to bring him back.
Meanwhile, Nanda was rescued with others in an overcrowded lifeboat, where they battled to keep it afloat. From the shore, her anxious mother waited and worried through the night, finally overcome with emotion upon receiving a call confirming her daughter was alive.
The Aftermath: Loss and Hope Intertwined
At dawn, a fisherman spotted Bejo, Muhamad, and another survivor, bringing them safely to shore. This shared experience has since bonded Bejo and Muhamad beyond words, emerging from strangers to lifelong connections.
Yet, not all outcomes were as hopeful. The mother and child Bejo met in the taxi were among the victims recovered from the wreckage, their fate confirmed in the heartbreaking hours after the tragedy.
More than 48 hours after the ferry sank, authorities confirmed six deaths with over 30 missing. Many unregistered passengers likely boarded without tickets, suggesting the actual toll may be higher.
A Human Story in a Maritime Disaster
This ferry sinking serves as a stark reminder of how quickly ordinary trips can turn into life-or-death situations, and how, even in disaster, moments of humanity and resilience shine through. For the families waiting in Gilimanuk and beyond, the ordeal continues with uncertainty and hope.
