Maritime accidents increase in Indonesia, journalists also disappear

Ferries and cruise ships play a key role in both daily transportation and tourism in Indonesia, which consists of more than 17 thousand islands.

Sea lines offer a much more economical and accessible option compared to air travel.

Maritime accidents occur frequently in the country due to the uncompromising implementation of safety standards and variable weather conditions.

A speedboat with eight people, including five journalists working for local and international agencies, disappeared near the Anak Krakatau Volcano in Banten province on Monday.

Journalists had gone to the region to monitor the volcanic eruption that stopped flights at the main airport and other airports in the capital Jakarta.

The search efforts of the teams continue.

In August, one person died, five people went missing, and 211 people were rescued in a fire that broke out on a ferry in the Lombok Strait off Bali Island.

The ferry caught fire while sailing from Bali to Lombok in the early hours of August 12.

In July, another ferry carrying more than 70 people sank near Selayar Island in southern Sulawesi.