A boat carrying dozens of passengers to Labuan Bajo sank in waters off Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, after being battered by high waves, leaving one foreign tourist injured while all other passengers and crew were rescued safely, police said.
The vessel, identified as KLM Armada Mulya, was sailing from Kayangan Port in Lombok to the popular tourism destination of Labuan Bajo when the incident occurred on Thursday evening.
Bima City Police Chief AKBP Mubiarto said the boat was crossing the waters of Sanggar Bay at around 7 p.m. local time when strong waves from the north struck the vessel.
According to the captain, the impact damaged the front and rear sections of the boat’s port side, causing seawater to flood into the hull before the vessel eventually sank.
As the boat began taking on water, the captain instructed all passengers and crew members to put on life jackets and board the emergency lifeboat.
A joint rescue operation involving the Water Police units of Bima City and Bima Regency, the Harbourmaster Office (KSOP), the Navigation District, and the Bima Search and Rescue Agency was immediately launched after authorities received reports of the sinking.
By around 5 a.m. on Friday, all 44 passengers and crew members had been evacuated and transferred to a government-operated vessel before being transported to Bima Port.
The survivors arrived at the port at approximately 9:30 a.m., where they underwent medical examinations conducted by health officials at the local Harbourmaster Office.
Police said everyone on board survived the incident. However, one foreign tourist sustained injuries and was taken to Bima Regional General Hospital for further treatment. Authorities have not yet released the injured tourist’s identity or nationality.
“Fortunately, all passengers were rescued. One foreign national remains under medical treatment after suffering injuries,” Mubiarto said.
He urged vessel operators and passengers to prioritize maritime safety by closely monitoring weather conditions before setting sail.
Read also: Two Tourists Die While Snorkeling in Labuan Bajo
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