Four foreign tourists and their snorkeling guide were forced to jump into the sea on Thursday afternoon after an explosion rocked their boat in Gamat Bay off the coast of Nusa Penida, Indonesia, according to local police authorities. The vessel, named Naomi, caught fire during a private snorkeling excursion that had included planned stops at Manta Bay, Crystal Bay, and Gamat Bay.
Explosion and Evacuation in Gamat Bay
According to Klungkung Regency Police, the boat had departed its operational base around 12:30 p.m. carrying four foreign tourists. Guide Made Wirya told authorities that the safety equipment and technical condition of the boat had been checked and cleared prior to departure. As the vessel prepared to leave Gamat Bay at roughly 1:40 p.m., a loud explosion occurred at the end of the boat.
Police stated that the blast is initially suspected to have originated from an attached battery component. Flames immediately engulfed parts of the vessel, prompting the guide and all four guests to spontaneously leap into the water to save themselves. At approximately 2:50 p.m., a passing boat in the area rescued the passengers and crew members from the water.
Did You Know? Nusa Penida is an island located roughly 15 miles southeast of Bali, known for its crystal-clear waters and dramatic coastal cliffs.
Captain Hospitalized With Burns While Passengers Survive
Senior Commissioner Rina Isriana Dewi, chief of the public information subdivision of the Bali Police Public Relations division, confirmed that all foreign national passengers and crew members were safely evacuated. While the tourists and the guide escaped uninjured, the boat’s captain, I Kadek Dwiyana, 31, a Nusa Penida resident, suffered burns to his legs. He was subsequently transported to the emergency department at Gema Santhi Regional Hospital for medical treatment.
Authorities noted that the Naomi had undergone routine repairs and maintenance prior to the trip. The boat owner plans to report to the Nusa Penida Police Headquarters to make an official statement once hospital accompaniment duties for the injured captain are complete. Meanwhile, the Nusa Penida Police Criminal Investigation Unit has questioned witnesses and examined the scene.
Ongoing Investigation Into the Boat Fire
The exact cause of the explosion and subsequent fire remains under active investigation by local law enforcement. Police have not yet released the nationalities or identities of the four foreign tourists involved in the private excursion. Officers plan further on-site investigations to determine the cause of the fire.
Injured Captain Treated for Burns After Boat Explosion
What time did the explosion happen?
The explosion occurred at approximately 1:40 p.m. local time on Thursday, October 29, as the boat prepared to leave Gamat Bay.
Speed boat di Nusa Penida – Bali kebakaran, 4 wisatawan WNA lompat kelaut selamatkan diri.*sumber: https://t.co/OuTkVP9Og3 pic.twitter.com/1LSQIFMJHW
Who was injured in the incident?
The boat’s captain, 31-year-old I Kadek Dwiyana, suffered burns to his legs and was treated in the emergency department at Gema Santhi Regional Hospital. All four foreign tourists and the guide survived.
How were the passengers rescued?
After jumping into the sea to escape the flames, the passengers and crew members were rescued from the water at around 2:50 p.m. by another boat passing through the area.
More on Gamat Bay
๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฆ๐ป๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ฒ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ ๐ฒ๐น*๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ธ ๐ฑ๐ถ ๐ก๐๐๐ฎ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฎ, ๐๐ฎ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐น๐ฎ๐บ๐ถ ๐๐๐ธ๐ฎ ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฎ๐ฟSebuah boat snorkeling bernama Naomi mel*dak dan terbakar di perairan Gamat Bay, Nusa Penida, Klungkung, Bali, Kamis (29/10/2026) sekitar pukul 13.40โฆ pic.twitter.com/9Vi2M5GpUx
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