VIDEO: “God, Are We Sinking?” Passenger Vessel Battles Monster Waves Near Komodo

KOMODO NATIONAL PARK, Indonesia — A routine night journey through East Nusa Tenggara’s waters turned into a desperate fight for survival late on December 26, extending into the early hours of December 27, 2025. A harrowing video circulating online captures the raw terror aboard a passenger vessel being violently assaulted by massive waves near Padar Island, within the famed Komodo National Park.

The two-minute, twenty-two-second clip begins with a chilling sight: seawater flooding the main cabin floor. Tables slide, and personal belongings float in the churning water with each violent lurch. The soundtrack is one of pure dread—incessant cries of “Ya Allah!” (Oh God!) from terrified passengers.

Urgency in the Cabin: Life Jackets and a Plea

As the situation deteriorates, a male voice cuts through the chaos with urgent commands. “Don’t anyone stay in the cabins, everyone out! Put on your life jackets!” The footage shows passengers scrambling to don bright orange life vests. The emotional peak comes with a woman’s tearful, panicked plea: “Are we sinking?”

On the Deck: A Confrontation with the Sea

The camera reveals the source of their torment. Illuminated only by the ship’s lights, towering waves crash over the bow with terrifying force. Each impact sends the vessel shuddering, allowing more torrents of seawater to pour onboard. Passengers are visibly overcome by severe seasickness from the relentless pounding, their focus narrowed to survival.

Context: A Region Under a Weather Warning

This incident occurred in a region under official meteorological alert. As previously reported, the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) had been monitoring a tropical disturbance south of Lombok. The agency had warned that such systems, even if not developing into full cyclones, could generate dangerous wave conditions of 2.5 to 4.0 meters in the very waters south of Nusa Tenggara—the area where this vessel was traveling.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the name of the vessel, the operator, or the total number of people onboard. Crucially, there is also no official confirmation at this time regarding casualties. Search and rescue operations are presumed to be underway, but details remain scarce.

A Stark Maritime Safety Reminder

For the global community of travelers and expatriates in Bali and the surrounding islands, this viral video is a grave reminder of the sea’s power, especially during the dynamic rainy season. It underscores critical safety protocols: always heed official weather warnings from the BMKG, respect ferry cancellations as essential safety decisions, and upon boarding any vessel, immediately note the location of life jackets.

The video ends with a cabin of shocked, soaked passengers, their fate in the balance as the boat battles the angry sea. It is a visceral testament to human vulnerability and resilience—a sobering reminder that in Indonesia’s vast archipelago, the sea always demands respect