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High waves trigger boat accidents in Bali, Labuan Bajo
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has reported that the 91S tropical cyclone developing in the Indian Ocean is causing increased wind speeds across Indonesia, resulting in high waves that were expected to persist until Sunday.
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This photo from the Klungkung District Police taken on March 21, 2025, and released on March 22, 2025, shows survivors sitting on the hull of a capsized tourist boat as they wait to be rescued after the boat was hit by waves in Nusa Penida, Bali. (AFP/Handout/Klungkung Police)
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urbulent seas, caused by the formation of the 91S tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean, have led to a series of boat accidents across the country, including in the popular tourist destinations of Bali and Labuan Bajo.
In the early hours of Saturday, severe weather caused a boat carrying seven foreign tourists to capsize off the coast of Kelor Island in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
Fathur Rahman, Head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Agency in NTT, said that the boat, the Raja Bintang 02, departed from Labuan Bajo in West Manggarai Regency at around 1:00 a.m. for a trip to several small islands near the popular fishing town.
"Afterward, the boat anchored off Kelor Island, intending to wait for sunrise. However, strong winds and high waves caused the anchor to drag, which ultimately led to the boat capsizing," he said on Saturday, as quoted by Kompas.
Fathur added that a phinisi ship that happened to pass through the area was able to rescue all ten people on board, including the captain and crew members.
"After receiving the report of the accident, rescuers quickly rushed to the scene. We arrived at 2:30 a.m. and safely transported all the passengers back to Labuan Bajo."
The day before, another boat carrying 16 people capsized in rough waters off Nusa Penida District, Klungkung Regency, Bali, resulting in the death of an Australian tourist and injuries to two others.
