Lake Toba Ferry Disaster: Search for Survivors Resumed
Quick rundown of the wet drama
- Commander’s call: Search kicked off at 7 am after a rough night on Lake Toba.
- Numbers in the water: Estimates of ~80 passengers on board – some say up to 130 – but the exact count is still under wraps.
- The tally: 18 folks have been rescued, 1 passenger confirmed dead.
- Weather showdown: High waves and strong winds turned the ferry into a splash zone.
- Rescue crew: Two other ferries and a wooden boat joined the frantic effort.
Eyewitness footage shows
In a heart‑wrenching clip, crews aboard a still‑sailing ferry tossed life preservers and jackets to panicked passengers dangling in the lake’s cold waves.
Why this is a “favourite” at the end of the day
Lake Toba isn’t just any lake – it’s the caldera of a giant dormant volcano and one of the deepest in the world. That’s why it’s so popular with travellers. But the moving, treacherous waters can be a real nightmare.
When ferries drop the ball across Indonesia
Another 43‑person longboat sank off Makassar, killing 13, last week. A speedboat carrying 30 passengers collapsed off South Sumatra, claiming at least two lives. These incidents are all too common during the Islamic holiday of Eid when millions hop on land, sea, and air routes back home.
