World · Singapore Bureau
Indonesia ferry disaster death toll reaches 66 as search continues
Rescue teams are battling hazardous conditions including fuel leaks and structural instability as they search for 69 people still missing from the sunken ferry. The operation has now entered its 16th day of recovery efforts.
LSN Singapore ·
Divers involved in the recovery operation at the site of Indonesia's ferry disaster are confronting dangerous conditions as they attempt to locate the remaining passengers unaccounted for in the incident. The confirmed death toll has reached 66, with search and rescue teams persisting despite challenges posed by leaking fuel and compromised vessel structures that pose risks to personnel.
The 16-day recovery effort has been hampered by environmental hazards and the deteriorating integrity of the sunken vessel. Rescue operations have required divers to navigate through fuel-contaminated waters while working within sections of the ferry where structural failure remains a concern. Despite these obstacles, teams have maintained continuous search operations in an effort to account for all passengers aboard at the time of the disaster.
Indonesia's maritime incident comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the country's ferry safety standards. The scale of the loss of life has prompted authorities to review operational protocols and vessel maintenance procedures across the region's passenger ferry services. Recovery crews are expected to continue operations as long as conditions permit further exploration of the wreck.