Five people rescued after Indonesia boat sinks, at least 20 still missing

A passenger vessel operating in Indonesian waters sank Wednesday after experiencing engine failure, leaving dozens of people stranded at sea. The KM Nurul Salsa was traveling from Jampea Island toward the port of Benteng on Selayar Island in South Sulawesi province when it went down approximately 43 nautical miles from its destination, with 78 people aboard.

Rescue teams located five survivors on Saturday evening near Matallang Island, three days after the incident. The group—one man, three women, and a seven-year-old girl—had remained afloat by securing themselves to a fish trap and pieces of buoyant debris. According to local search-and-rescue official Muhammad Arif Anwar, survivors improvised flotation devices using jerry cans and cork pieces lashed together with rope. The five had been part of a larger group of 25 people but became separated from others due to strong winds during their ordeal.

Search efforts have yielded additional survivors; local media reported 47 people were rescued the day after the sinking, and one death has been confirmed. However, at least 20 people remain unaccounted for. Authorities have deployed five large ships, a reconnaissance aircraft, and a helicopter to continue search operations.

Passenger boat incidents occur regularly in Indonesia, an archipelago comprising over 17,000 islands where maritime transport is essential. Safety concerns, including inadequate standards and overcrowding, frequently contribute to accidents. Earlier in the month, a ferry carrying 65 people sank near Bali, resulting in at least six deaths and dozens reported missing.