The snorkeling boat, which houses 13 people, including 11 Australian tourists, capsized in the rough waters of Bali, an Indonesian resort island on Friday, killing a woman and injuring two others, police said.
Local police spokesman Agus Widiono said when the sea dragon boat was overwhelmed by high waves on its way from Bali port to Nusa Penida, a popular small island near Bali.
The group was watching the underwater scenery as they were struck by a large wave that threw a 39-year-old woman identified by police as Anna Marie outboard. A second wave of boat capsizing at Kering Waters followed, Widiono said.
A nearby boat rushed to rescue 12 survivors, including two local crew members and two injured tourists. The rescuers also found Marie's body, a spokesman said.
Survivors are treated at a nearby clinic and are in stable condition.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade confirmed that it was providing consul assistance to the families of Australians who died in Indonesia.
“We express our deep sadness to our families during these difficult times,” the spokesman said.
“The department also provides consul support to two Australians injured in the same incident. Due to our privacy obligation, we cannot provide further comment.”
In recent years, maritime accidents in Indonesia have killed hundreds of people. Boats are often overcrowded and safety regulations are not very enforced.
The vast archipelago country spans over 17,000 islands with a population of 280 million, and boats are popular and relatively inexpensive mode of transportation.
