Inp.polri.go.id - West Kuta. Seven people were confirmed dead and one remained missing after a ferry carrying 28 passengers sank in the Mahakam River near Ujoh Halang, West Kutai, East Kalimantan, officials said on Wednesday night (12/11/2025).

“Based on our data, the ferry carried 28 passengers. Of these, 20 survived, seven were found dead, and one is being searched for,” said Endrow Sasmita, the Head of Operations and Alert at Balikpapan Search and Rescue (SAR) Office, as quoted by antaranews.com.

The joint SAR operation, launched after reports that the ferry was overloaded, involved surface sweeps, drone thermal scans, and dives by Basarnas and Brimob’s special team. Victims were found at distances of up to 13 kilometers from the sinking site.

Despite strong currents and cloudy weather, the rescue teams planned to continue the search until the last victim is found.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)