Seven people were confirmed dead and 34 others injured after a wooden tourist boat sank off the coast of Bengkulu province, Indonesia, on Sunday evening, local authorities reported.
The vessel, which was carrying 98 tourists along with six crew members, was returning from Tikus Island to the city of Bengkulu when the tragedy occurred. According to officials from Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, the boat encountered severe weather conditions including a sudden storm, strong winds, and high waves shortly before reaching its destination.
A spokesperson for the Bengkulu search and rescue agency said the boat’s engine failed amid the turbulent weather, leaving it vulnerable to the rough sea. The vessel was then struck by large waves, which pushed it into a coral rock formation. The impact caused significant structural damage, resulting in water rapidly flooding the boat and ultimately leading to its sinking.
Emergency teams were dispatched to the scene immediately following reports of the accident. Local fishermen and coast guard units assisted in the rescue operations throughout the night. Of the 104 people aboard, 34 sustained injuries of varying degrees, and seven lost their lives. The remaining passengers and crew were rescued or managed to swim to safety.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, including the boat’s seaworthiness and safety protocols in place at the time of departure. Eyewitnesses and survivors are being interviewed as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Sunday’s tragedy has drawn attention to safety regulations and emergency preparedness aboard tourist vessels in the region, particularly as the area sees a rise in marine tourism.
This incident echoes a similar maritime disaster in December 2024, when a fishing boat sank off the coast of Maluku province in eastern Indonesia. That accident claimed the lives of 15 people, with only two survivors.
Indonesia, an archipelagic nation with thousands of islands, relies heavily on sea transportation but is frequently plagued by boat accidents due to poor safety standards, aging vessels, and unpredictable weather.
Authorities have urged tour operators and boat owners to conduct thorough safety checks and monitor weather forecasts more closely before allowing trips to proceed. Families of the victims are being provided with support, and further updates are expected as the investigation continues.
