British holidaymakers affected by ferry explosion off coast of Bali

The Foreign Office has said it is assisting British holidaymakers affected by an explosion on a ferry off the coast of Bali.

The boat was carrying tourists from the east of the Indonesian island to the neighbouring Gili Islands when the explosion happened, according to reports.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are providing consular assistance to British nationals affected by an explosion on a ferry off the coast of Bali."

A German woman has died and around 20 others suffered injuries in the explosion as the ferry was travelling from Bali to the small neighbouring island of Lombok, according to reports.

The Gili Cat 2 speedboat had more than 40 people on board, all of whom have been taken off the boat, Karangasem police chief Bambang Sudarso told reporters.

Smoke rose from the engine before the blast 200 metres from the departure point.

Police are questioning the boat's captain.

Tourists from Britain, Australia, Germany, France and South Korea were among those on board.

Mr Sudarso told reporters: "One of the passengers died from bad injuries after being hit by boat debris that also caused injuries in others."

The injured are being treated at a medical clinic, he added.

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