Five dead, 41 missing, after Indonesia ferry catches fire
An Indonesian ferry carrying at least 250 people caught fire off Madura island, leaving five dead and 41 missing as rescue operations continue.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Indonesian ferry KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 caught fire at sea
- At least 250 people were on board during the voyage
- Five fatalities confirmed with 41 individuals still missing
At least five people have lost their lives and 41 others remain missing after an Indonesian passenger ferry caught fire while sailing at sea, according to local officials. Basarnas, the National Search and Rescue Agency, reported that the incident occurred off the coast of Madura island.
The vessel, identified as the KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2, was travelling from Surabaya in East Java—the country's second-largest city—heading toward Makassar in South Sulawesi when the disaster struck. The captain of the ship reported the fire as the vessel navigated its route.
Footage broadcast by local Indonesian news outlet iNews, along with a video shared by Basarnas on TikTok, depicts thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the upper sections of the vessel. Numerous passengers can be seen wearing life jackets as they attempt to evacuate the burning ship.
Other clips captured desperate moments of individuals climbing down the side of the ferry and jumping into the sea. Crowds wearing life jackets gathered together while lifebuoys were thrown to survivors before they were successfully pulled aboard rescue vessels.
Ferry travel is a vital mode of transportation across Indonesia's vast archipelago, but safety standards and overcrowding have historically presented major challenges. Maritime incidents far from the coast severely test the response times and capabilities of agencies like Basarnas, making coordination during open-water emergencies critical.
According to Basarnas, the Surabaya Search and Rescue office was alerted about the burning passenger ship at 08:24 local time, which corresponds to 02:24 GMT. Information obtained from the shipping company indicated that the fire actually broke out between 06:00 and 07:00 local time, or 00:00 to 01:00 GMT.
Source: BBC World
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