Mentawai Islands, Indonesia: A tragic boat accident off the Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra has left 11 people missing, Indonesian authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The vessel, carrying 18 passengers, sank in rough seas on Monday morning around 11 a.m. local time.
According to the local search and rescue agency, seven individuals have been rescued so far, while efforts continue to locate the missing. Ten of the passengers were officials from the local administration, raising further concern about the scale of the tragedy.
The boat had departed from Sikakap and was en route to Tuapejat, a small settlement on the Mentawai Islands, when it encountered severe weather conditions.
Authorities have dispatched two rescue boats and dozens of personnel to comb the surrounding waters. Search operations are being hampered by strong currents and unstable weather, which remain common challenges in Indonesia’s sprawling archipelago of over 17,000 islands.
This marks the second major boat accident in Indonesia in a month. Just weeks earlier, a ferry near Bali sank, claiming the lives of 18 out of 65 passengers, with several still unaccounted for.
Officials are currently investigating the cause of the latest incident. Survivors from the earlier Bali tragedy reported a leak in the engine room, which caused rapid flooding and capsizing. One survivor, 64-year-old Supardi, recounted clinging to a life jacket with three others after the ferry went down.
Indonesia is no stranger to maritime mishaps. Overcrowded boats, aging vessels, and lax enforcement of safety regulations continue to contribute to frequent accidents across the country’s vast waters. As rescue teams race against time, the nation is once again reminded of the urgent need to improve marine transport safety.
