Two Chinese tourists dead in Bali boat accident

Two tourists from China have died after a tourist boat capsized and sank off the Bali coast.

The Bali Dolphin Cruise vessel flipped over en route from the island of Nusa Penida to Sanur, Bali.

Authorities said it was struck by a large wave.

“Several boats were entering safely around that time, but this one appears to have failed to anticipate a large incoming wave,” said Aprianus Hangki, head of the Benoa Authority in Bali.

As well as claiming the lives of two Chinese nationals, an Indonesian was declared missing.

The boat was carrying 73 foreign tourists at the time.

The Indonesian navy helped to rescue occupants thrown overboard and conduct a full search and rescue operation.

“On behalf of the government, we express our deepest condolences,” transport minister Dudy Purwagandhi said. “We will respond to this promptly with a full investigation.”

Boat and ferry accidents are fairly common in Indonesia.

Last month a ferry sank off the Bali coast claiming more than a dozen lives while several more were still declared missing after a days-long search and rescue operation.

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