Boat carrying Russian tourists explodes in Bali

A boat carrying Russian tourists exploded in Bali during a snorkeling excursion. The passengers jumped into the sea — they were not rescued until 70 minutes later. The captain was hospitalized with burns to his legs. The vessel had undergone repairs shortly before the incident and was declared fit for service before departure, according to Indonesian police.

Explosion during a snorkeling excursion

On October 29, four Russian nationals went on a snorkeling excursion in Bali. Their boat, Naomi, departed at around 12:30 p.m. local time. The route included three popular snorkeling spots near Nusa Penida island — Manta Bay, Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay.

At around 1:40 p.m., as the vessel was leaving Gamat Bay, an explosion occurred in the stern. A fire broke out, and the passengers and their guide jumped into the sea. A passing boat picked them up at 2:50 p.m.

The Russian passengers were unharmed. Naomi's captain, 31-year-old I Kadek Dwiyana, suffered burns to his legs. He was taken to Gema Santhi Hospital on Nusa Penida.

Cause of the explosion and investigation

According to the preliminary account, a battery in Naomi's stern may have exploded. Police have not yet established the exact cause of the fire.

According to the guide, the boat and its safety equipment were inspected before departure. No faults were found. The vessel had undergone repairs and routine maintenance shortly before the incident.

Police are investigating the boat explosion in Bali, interviewing witnesses and planning another inspection of the scene. Naomi's owner intends to file a report after resolving matters related to the captain's medical treatment. Authorities also advised marine tour operators to regularly check the condition of their vessels and lifesaving equipment.