Story perspectives

Fishermen Rescue Five; 25 Missing After Selayar Boat Sinks

7/20/2026

Summary

Fishermen Rescue Survivors

Local fishermen rescued five survivors from the sunken passenger boat that had 78 people aboard near Selayar Island on Saturday afternoon.
Twenty-five missing passengers constructed rafts from jerry cans, cork and rope and survived three days on instant noodles and biscuits.
Five large ships, a reconnaissance aircraft and a helicopter continue searching for the missing passengers.
Safety experts say overcrowding and poor records contribute to frequent Indonesian maritime disasters.

Summary

Ferry Sinks

The ferry KM Nurul Salsa, which left Jampea Island for Benteng port on Selayar Island, sank on July 19 2026 after engine failure.
ABC News and the Associated Press reported the disaster, giving it international exposure.
The Makassar Search and Rescue Office posted a July 16 2026 video of rescuers scanning the horizon.
Authorities revised the manifest to 78 aboard and later confirmed 49 survivors, up from an initial 47.

History

Historical Context

The 22 February 2007 fire and sinking of the overloaded ferry Levina 1 killed at least 51 passengers, prompting Transport Minister Hatta Rajasa to revoke the operator’s license and arrest the captain. Earlier 2006 disasters that claimed over 400 lives spurred an IMO safety offer, which Indonesia accepted. The July 2026 KM Nurul Salsa sinking revives those reforms.

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Fishermen Rescue Survivors

Local fishermen rescued five survivors from the sunken passenger boat that had 78 people aboard near Selayar Island on Saturday afternoon.
Twenty-five missing passengers constructed rafts from jerry cans, cork and rope and survived three days on instant noodles and biscuits.
Five large ships, a reconnaissance aircraft and a helicopter continue searching for the missing passengers.
Safety experts say overcrowding and poor records contribute to frequent Indonesian maritime disasters.

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