Explosion and Fire Force Tourists Overboard Near Nusa Penida
Four foreign tourists and their snorkeling guide jumped into the sea off Gamat Bay, Bali, on Thursday, October 29, 2026, after an explosion on their boat triggered a fire. The incident aboard the snorkeling vessel Naomi occurred at approximately 1:40 p.m. local time as the craft prepared to leave the waters of Sakti Village in the Nusa Penida District, according to local police reports published by The Bali Times.
No fatalities resulted from the afternoon emergency, and rescue boats later pulled all five individuals safely from the water. However, the vessel’s captain sustained burns to his lower body and received emergency medical treatment at Gema Santhi Regional General Hospital, as detailed in reports from jawawa.id.
Departure, Routine Checks, and the Gamat Bay Explosion
The private snorkeling trip began earlier that day at roughly 12:30 p.m., when the Naomi departed its operational base. The itinerary included stops at Manta Bay and Crystal Bay before concluding at Gamat Bay, according to Klungkung Police public relations chief Iptu Dewa Nyoman Alit Purnawibawa, as cited by jawawa.id. Guide Made Wirya confirmed to authorities that the boat’s safety equipment and technical seaworthiness had passed inspection prior to departure, and that the vessel had undergone routine repairs and maintenance before heading out to sea.
As the boat prepared to depart Gamat Bay at about 1:40 p.m., a loud explosion erupted from the rear of the vessel near the battery storage compartment, according to jawawa.id. Flames quickly spread across the craft. Confronted by sudden fire, the guide and the four passengers made the split-second decision to leap overboard into the sea.
Rescue Operations and Ongoing Police Investigation
The passengers and crew drifted in the water until approximately 2:50 p.m., when another boat passing through the area spotted them and pulled everyone aboard. While the tourists and the guide emerged uninjured, the captain sustained serious burns to his legs. He was transferred to the emergency department at Gema Santhi Hospital for intensive care, as reported by jawawa.id.
Officers from the Nusa Penida Police Criminal Investigation Unit continue to collect witness statements and physical evidence at the scene. The boat’s owner plans to file an official police report following the completion of the captain’s medical treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Gamat Bay Boat Fire
What time did the explosion on the Naomi occur?
The explosion took place at approximately 1:40 p.m. local time on Thursday, October 29, 2026, as the boat was preparing to leave Gamat Bay in Sakti Village, Nusa Penida.
What injuries were reported from the incident?
All four foreign tourists and their guide escaped physical injury by jumping into the sea, but the boat’s captain sustained burns to his lower body and was hospitalized at Gema Santhi Regional General Hospital.
How were the stranded passengers and crew rescued?
After floating in the waters off Gamat Bay for over an hour, the group was spotted and evacuated by another boat passing through the area at around 2:50 p.m., according to jawawa.id.