Bima, W. Nusa Tenggara. Indonesian rescuers evacuated all 45 passengers and crew members from a tourist boat that sank in the waters off Tanjung Katupa in Bima Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, on Thursday night after it was struck by high waves, authorities said.

Muhamad Hariyadi, head of the Mataram Search and Rescue Office, said the vessel sank at around 7:45 p.m. local time while sailing from Gili Trawangan to Komodo Island.

"The boat was hit by high waves and eventually sank," Hariyadi said on Friday.

The boat was carrying 45 people, including eight crew members and 37 passengers. Of the total, 16 were Indonesian nationals and 29 were foreign nationals.

Rescuers transferred the survivors to two nearby vessels, the Majestic and the Sultan. Seventeen people were evacuated aboard the Sultan, while the remaining 28 were taken to the Majestic.

The evacuation was completed at around 2:45 a.m. on Friday, after which all passengers and crew were transported aboard the KM Amokti Palapa to Bima Port.

"Our top priority was the safety of all passengers and crew. Thanks to the hard work of the rescue teams in the field, everyone was successfully evacuated safely," Hariyadi said.

He added that all survivors arrived at Bima Port at 9:23 a.m. local time for further assistance, and the search and rescue operation was officially concluded after authorities confirmed that everyone had reached shore safely.

The operation involved the Bima SAR Post, the Bima Police Water and Air Unit, the Bima Port Authority (KSOP), the Bima Ship Radio Station (SROP), the Bima Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the Labuhan Lombok Port Office (KUPP), and several vessels operating near the scene.

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