On Friday, a snorkeling boat carrying 13 people, including 11 Australian tourists, capsized in the rough seas off Indonesia’s resort island of Bali. The incident resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to two others, as reported by the police.

During its journey from a port in Bali to the popular island of Nusa Penida, the Sea Dragon boat was hit by high waves. Witnesses described how the group was observing underwater scenery when a large wave swept a 39-year-old woman named Anna Maree overboard, followed by a second wave that capsized the boat in Kelingking waters, according to Agus Widiono, a local police spokesperson.

Rescue efforts were promptly initiated, with another boat nearby coming to the aid of the survivors. Out of the 12 individuals rescued, 4 were crew members, while the remaining 8 included the two injured tourists. The body of Maree was also recovered by the rescuers.

The survivors were subsequently treated at a nearby health clinic and are currently in stable condition. Condolences were extended by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which confirmed its provision of consular assistance to the family of the Australian woman who tragically lost her life in Indonesia.

Additionally, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stated that it is also offering support to the two Australians who suffered injuries during the incident. However, due to privacy obligations, no further comments were made.

Maritime accidents have been a recurring issue in Indonesia over the past few years, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives. Insufficient enforcement of safety regulations and overcrowding of boats have contributed to these incidents. Indonesia, with its vast archipelago of over 17,000 islands and a population of 280 million, relies heavily on boats as a popular and affordable mode of transportation.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/22/australian-tourist-killed-two-injured-snorkelling-boat-capsizes-off-bali-nusa-penida-indonesia