Deputy for Search and Rescue Operations and Preparedness at the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Ribut Eko Suyanto, received a report from the joint SAR team at Gilimanuk Port, Bali, received a report that fishermen first discovered the bodies, and the SAR team then moved to retrieve them.
"The bodies, suspected to be victims of the sinking, were found at around 7:00 a.m. local time, approximately 13 miles from where the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sank," he stated during a press conference at Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi District, East Java.
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The bodies, suspected to be victims of the Tunu ferry, were found two kilometers from Pebuahan Beach in Jembrana Regency, Bali, wearing blue shorts and a black t-shirt, Eko revealed.
Furthermore, Suyanto said that the second body, also found at the same location, was immediately evacuated by the joint SAR team from the Gilimanuk Port Command Post (Bali).
"The two bodies have now been taken to the Jembrana Regency General Hospital (Bali) for identification by the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team," Eko remarked.
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The search and rescue (SAR) operation for victims of the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sinking has been extended for three days, starting today, Wednesday, July 9, and ending Friday, July 11, for humanitarian reasons.
The extension of the SAR operation by the joint SAR team was made because many victims were still unaccounted for and had to be evacuated, while ensuring the safety of the SAR team involved.
The Joint SAR Operations Command Post and SAR Potential at Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi, reported 30 survivors. Of the 10 bodies recovered, two were found today and are pending identification. Some 25 victims remain missing.
KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, carrying 53 passengers, 12 crew members, and 22 vehicles, sank on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
Related news: Ferry sinking: Search for missing shifts to southern Bali Strait
Translator: Arie Novarina
Editor: M Razi Rahman
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
