Indonesia Passenger Ferry Sinks, 24 Missing: Why Reports Show Different Numbers
이 포스팅은 쿠팡 파트너스 활동의 일환으로, 이에 따른 일정액의 수수료를 제공받습니다.
Based on information released through midday 2026-07-18, a total of 74 passengers and crew members were reported to have been aboard the Indonesian passenger ferry Nurul Salsa.
Of those aboard, 49 were rescued, 1 woman died, and 24 remain missing.
The current figures are 74 aboard, 49 rescued, 1 dead, and 24 missing.
Where Did the Accident Occur?
The vessel involved was the KM Nurul Salsa.
The ferry reportedly developed engine trouble while sailing in waters near the Selayar Islands in Indonesia's South Sulawesi province on July 15 local time.
When the crew was unable to repair the engine aboard the vessel, the captain requested assistance. However, by the time rescuers arrived, part of the ferry was already submerged.
In addition to passengers, the vessel was carrying cargo including motorcycles, livestock, and copra.
Why Do Different News Reports Show Different Numbers?
Searching for this accident produces different figures in headlines, including '24 missing,' '25 dead or missing,' and 'more than 70 aboard.'
These reports are not necessarily describing different situations.
Missing persons alone: 24
Deaths and missing persons combined: 25
Total people aboard: 74
People rescued: 49
Therefore, the figure '25 dead or missing' combines 1 death and 24 missing persons. It does not mean that all 25 people are missing.
An even greater source of confusion was the passenger manifest.
The initial manifest listed 50 people aboard, but statements from survivors and subsequent verification established that the actual number aboard was 74.
That meant there were 24 more people aboard than originally recorded.
When the actual number of people aboard is established only later, the reported numbers of survivors and missing persons can also differ from initial news reports.
Why Is the Search Difficult?
Local search and rescue authorities are working with the military, police, residents, and fishermen to locate those still missing.
However, strong winds and waves reaching approximately 2~2.5m in the accident area have reportedly made search operations difficult.
In maritime accidents, people drifting in the water may be carried far from the original accident site. Search teams therefore continually adjust their search areas based on ocean currents and wind conditions.
The numbers of missing and rescued people may change as search operations continue and authorities verify the identities of those aboard.
What to Check When Reading New Reports
When following breaking news about the accident, it is more accurate to examine the following details rather than comparing headline figures alone.
When the report was published
Whether the figure counts only missing persons
Whether it combines deaths and missing persons
Whether the passenger manifest has been revised
Whether the information was officially released by rescue authorities
Especially in an accident like this, where the passenger manifest differs from the actual number aboard, readers should rely on the latest figures released by rescue authorities rather than older reports.
As of 12:08 Korea Standard Time on 2026-07-18, the publicly confirmed figures are 49 rescued, 1 dead, and 24 missing.
Because search operations are ongoing, casualty figures may change in subsequent reports.
Verification Sources and Potential Changes
Local reports citing Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency, along with AP reporting, recorded 74 people aboard, 49 rescued, 1 dead, and 24 missing. Waves at the search site were reported to be approximately 2~2.5m high. Antara News+1
South Korean media reported that the initial passenger manifest listed 50 people, but the actual number aboard was subsequently determined to be 74. No newer official casualty figures were identified in publicly available sources found through searches conducted up to 12:08 on July 18. Yonhap News Agency+1
이 포스팅은 쿠팡 파트너스 활동의 일환으로, 이에 따른 일정액의 수수료를 제공받습니다.