A ferry carrying passengers between Java and Bali sank late Wednesday night, leaving at least four people dead and dozens more unaccounted for, according to Indonesian rescue officials.

The vessel, which had 53 passengers and 12 crew members on board, went down at around 11:20pm local time while en route from Banyuwangi, East Java, to Bali, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) in Surabaya confirmed.

So far, 29 survivors have been pulled from the sea, as rescue teams continue to scour the area for the missing. Among the rescued are four people who were found clinging to a lifeboat, all of whom are from Banyuwangi.

“Photos shared by Antara news agency showed ambulances stationed near the port and concerned residents anxiously waiting for updates along the roadside.”

Search and rescue teams are still working under difficult conditions, and the exact number of those missing remains unclear as authorities cross-check manifests and survivor accounts.

The ferry operator told local media that the vessel had reported engine trouble shortly before it went down. The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation by authorities.

The route between Java and Bali is frequently used by local residents, especially for work and travel, making it a vital link between the two islands.

Marine accidents are a recurring tragedy in Indonesia, an island nation of nearly 17,000 islands, where poor safety enforcement continues to pose a risk for travelers.

In a separate incident earlier this year, an Australian woman died after a boat carrying 16 people capsized off the coast of Bali in March.

Authorities have pledged to continue search and rescue efforts through the night and into the coming days.