[1] It was reported that the ship, a motorized bangka,[2] was overloaded with passengers and cargo that led to it capsizing after making a sharp turn.
[3] Kim Nirvana-B was rated to carry 178 passengers and 16 crew members, but had at least 220 people on board at the time of the accident.
[4][5][6] Witnesses also reported that a large number of sacks of cement, rice and fertilizer were in the cargo area of the ship.
[7][8] Multiple murder charges were laid against the ferry's owner, captain and 17 crew members following the accident.
[7][9] In July 2015, the Maritime Industry Authority reported that calculations show overloading was not the cause of the ship's sinking and instead cited the "negligent operations of the captain".