Two people have been confirmed dead after a ferry with 65 people on board sank off the coast of Bali.
The vessel, en route from Ketapang Port in East Java to Gilimanuk Port, reportedly suffered a critical leak in its engine room, leading to a complete power failure and eventual capsizing.
According to local media, the ferry transmitted a distress signal at 12:16am on Thursday and a nearby ferry tried to reach the boat to help.
Despite swift response efforts, the vessel was found overturned and drifting southward by 12:22am.
Two people have been confirmed dead. At least 16 people, some of whom were unconscious, have been saved so far.
Rescuers believe there were 53 passengers and 12 crew on the ship when it sank, wth 45 people still unaccounted for.
In footage provided to Daily Mail Australia, emergency services can be seen speeding along the dark water to the vessel.
Associated Press reported that nine boats have been searching for the missing people since Wednesday night, battling waves up to 2m high.
Two people have died after a ferry sank off the coast in Bali overnight
The ferry, which was carrying 53 people, capsized on its way to Gilimanuk Port
Emergency responders could be seen speeding towards the vessel in the middle of the night
The ferry, which was on a 50km trip, is believed to have also been carrying 22 vehicles.
The tragedy comes almost a month after a tourist boat carrying 89 people capsized off the island of Nusa Lembongan in Bali.
The boat had just set off from Lembongan Village about 4.30pm when it was hit from behind by a wave, causing it to take on water.
Ferry tragedies are not unusual in Indonesia which is formed of more than 17,000 islands.
The ferry crossing was closed last week because of bad weather and huge waves. Two other ships were swept away by the fierce currents and ran aground in the Bali Strait
The boat had just set off from Lembongan Village to cross the Bali Strait (pictured) at 4.30pm when it was hit from behind by a wave, causing it to take on water
More to come.
