Ferry capsizes in Bali after running aground trying to enter harbour before 65 passengers and crew flee to safety
- Ro-Ro KMP Dharma Rucitra III ferry took on water, tilted on its side and capsized
- Water flooded the ferry’s engine forcing authorities to evacuate all onboard
- All passengers and crew escaped the sinking ship without any injuries
A passenger ferry carrying 33 vehicles and 65 souls capsized in Bali after running aground trying to dock in a harbour.
65 passengers and crew members were forced to abandon ship after the Ro-Ro KMP Dharma Rucitra III ferry took on water, tilted on its side and then capsized.
The passenger ferry, arriving from Lembar, Lombok Island, was attempting to dock at the Padang Bai port in eastern Bali around 10pm local time on June 12.
The Ro-Ro KMP Dharma Rucitra III ferry capsized while trying to dock at the Padang Bai port in eastern Bali on June 12
It is believed that the ferry tilted after some of the vehicles onboard starting shifting during the docking process
Despite the best efforts of the crew, water flooded the ferry’s engine meaning there was nothing they could do.
Authorities began evacuating the 48 passengers and 17 crew members and it is reported that nobody onboard was injured.
Head of Padang Bai Class IV Port Authority Ni Luh Putu Eka Suyasmin said: ‘The ship could not be docked to the dock and at 21:45 Wita we evacuated passengers and crew to the dock in safe condition. The evacuation process was completed at 22:18 Wita.’
Besides passengers, the ferry was also transporting ten large trucks, eight Tronton, three medium trucks, three small vehicles and nine motorbikes.
After the engine was flooded, port authorities worked to evacuate all 65 passengers and crew on board
All 65 onboard were rescued without injury and all of them underwent medical checks once they safely returned to dry land
It is believed that the ferry tilted after some of the vehicles onboard starting shifting during the docking process.
Following the evacuation, all passengers and crew underwent medical checks.
Ni Luh Putu Eka Suyasmin said: ‘This morning we will check the condition of the ship and ask for the help of a tug boat from Pertamina to shift the ship.
‘We ensure that the location of the incident is safe and does not interfere with shipping activities.’