A 39-year-old Australian woman has tragically lost her life following a boat accident near the Indonesian island of Bali.
The vessel, identified as the Sea Dragon, was carrying 13 passengers — 11 of whom were Australians — when it capsized near Denpasar on Friday evening around 8:30 pm local time. The group was en route to Nusa Penida, a scenic island renowned for its marine life and snorkeling spots.
Local authorities reported that rough seas contributed to the disaster. Agus Widiono, a spokesperson for the regional police, stated that a powerful wave first knocked the woman, identified as Anna Maree from Canberra, overboard. A subsequent wave overturned the boat entirely.
Nearby boats rushed to assist, rescuing the remaining passengers. Ms. Maree was retrieved from the water with reported burns and was transported to a nearby hospital, where she later passed away.
Two other Australians, Gabriel Hijniakoff, 29, from Brisbane, and Cintamani Warington, 32, an Australian residing in Bali, sustained injuries during the incident. Additionally, two more Australians suffered burns believed to be caused by the vessel’s engine.
This tragic event follows a similar incident in the area last September, where another Australian woman, identified by local sources as Pamela Philip, died shortly after starting a diving tour at Manta Point near Nusa Penida.
Indonesia, an archipelago comprising over 17,000 islands, relies heavily on sea transport. However, maritime accidents remain a concern due to overcrowding and inconsistent enforcement of safety regulations. Reports indicate that hundreds of lives have been lost in recent years as a result of such incidents.
This heartbreaking loss serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety measures while exploring these otherwise stunning and popular destinations.
