A snorkelling boat carrying 13 people, including 11 Australian tourists, capsized in rough seas off Indonesia’s resort island of Bali on Friday, killing a woman and injuring two others, police said.
The Sea Dragon boat was on its way from a port in Bali to Nusa Penida, a popular tiny island near Bali, when it was overwhelmed by high waves, local police spokesperson Agus Widiono said.
The group was looking at underwater scenery when their boat was hit by a large wave that threw a 39-year-old woman, identified by police as Anna Maree, overboard. It was followed by a second wave that capsized the boat in Kelingking waters, Widiono said.
A nearby boat was rushed to rescue 12 survivors, including two local crew and two injured tourists from the choppy waters. Rescuers also found the body of Maree, the spokesperson said.
Survivors were treated at a nearby health clinic and are in a stable condition.
A spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Indonesia.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,” the spokesperson said.
“The Department is also providing consular assistance to two Australians who were injured in the same incident. Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.”
Maritime accidents have killed hundreds of people in Indonesia in recent years. Boats are often overcrowded, and safety regulations are poorly enforced.
The vast archipelago country spans more than 17,000 islands with a population of 280 million, and boats are a popular and relatively cheap form of transportation.