BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR – A cargo vessel, MK Baruna, sank in the waters off Padang Galak Beach, Kesiman Petilan, East Denpasar, Bali, early Tuesday (Aug. 11, 2026), after being battered by strong waves and currents.

The incident occurred at around 5 a.m. local time as the vessel was preparing to sail to Nusa Lembongan. No fatalities were reported.

According to the Denpasar Police Water and Air Unit (Sat Polairud), MK Baruna is owned by I Wayan Subrata, 54. The vessel measures 22.5 meters in length and 4.5 meters in width and is equipped with four Yamaha outboard engines, each producing 40 horsepower.

The vessel’s captain, Mohamad Ilyas, 40, and two crew members, Mohamad Nur Wadi, 29, and Paidi, 41, were on board when the incident occurred.

The incident began on Monday (Aug. 9), when MK Baruna loaded cargo from around 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. Once loading was completed, the crew prepared to depart. However, sea conditions remained dangerous, with waves reaching approximately four meters.

Unable to sail safely, the captain decided to anchor the vessel about 40 meters from the shoreline at around 9 p.m. The captain and crew remained on board to safeguard the vessel and its cargo.

At around 5 a.m. Tuesday, seawater began entering the rear section of the vessel as strong waves and currents continued.

The captain then attempted to move the vessel toward the port channel in an effort to reach safer waters. However, the strong current and waves caused more water to enter the vessel, eventually resulting in MK Baruna sinking.

The captain and crew members attempted to salvage cargo that could still be recovered and move it to the shore.

Following the incident, officers from the Denpasar Police Water and Air Unit went to the scene, questioned witnesses and coordinated with the Sanur Harbor Port Authority and Harbormaster (KSOP).

Police officers, the vessel’s crew and local residents also attempted to secure and evacuate the vessel to prevent it from obstructing the shipping channel used by passenger boats operating from Sanur Harbor.

The vessel was temporarily secured near the boundary of the Sanur Harbor entrance channel so that it would not interfere with the movement of passenger speedboats.

Denpasar Police Public Relations Section Chief First Inspector I Gede Adi Saputra Jaya said the vessel was believed to have sunk because of adverse weather conditions, particularly strong waves and currents that caused seawater to flood the vessel.

There were no reported casualties in the incident. The owner has yet to determine the total financial loss caused by the sinking.