GILIMANUK, Indonesia — Indonesian authorities deployed navy ships and helicopters Friday in the intensified search for 29 people still missing almost two days after a ferry sank near the tourist island of Bali. But the search was later suspended because of poor visibility.
More than 160 rescuers including police and soldiers were involved in the search that resumed after being halted overnight because of poor visibility, said Ribut Eko Suyatno, the deputy chief of operations at the National Search and Rescue Agency.
Bad weather conditions
Three helicopters and a thermal drone had been involved in the search by air over the Bali Strait, while about 20 vessels and fishing boats were mobilized for the sea search, Suyatno said. As weather forecasts predict high waves and rough waters around the Bali Strait on Friday, he said at least three navy ships had been deployed.
Videos and photos released by the agency showed rescuers looking desperately from rescue boats in the waters, but no new survivors or bodies were found by Friday evening.
The search was suspended Friday evening because of bad weather and poor visibility, and will resume early Saturday, Suyatno said.
Suyatno told reporters late Friday that visibility was down to 3 kilometres (under 2 miles) from 10 kilometers (just over 6 miles) on Thursday because of thick fog -- that coupled with waves up to 2 1/2 metres (more than 8 feet) high and strong winds “were hampering our efforts in the second day of search.”
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