Indonesian ferry fire leaves five dead, dozens missing
An Indonesian ferry carrying 271 people caught fire in waters off the main island of Java on Sunday, leaving at least five people dead and dozens missing as rescuers and passing vessels evacuated hundreds from the burning ship, reports BritPanorama.
The Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry was traveling from Indonesia’s second-largest city of Surabaya in East Java to the city of Makassar in South Sulawesi when the fire erupted between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. in waters off Sumenep regency, according to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).
The ferry operator, PT Atosim Lampung Pelayaran, notified the Surabaya search and rescue office about an hour after the incident began, Basarnas stated. Reports indicated that the vessel was ablaze near the northern tip of Madura island, but communication with the ferry’s captain was eventually lost.
By 9:45 a.m., authorities confirmed the ferry’s location as approximately 19 nautical miles north of Buruan Sapudi island after making contact with the nearby cargo vessel Meratus Project 3. However, the cargo vessel was unable to approach due to its flammable cargo.
Footage released by Basarnas showed thick black smoke emanating from one side of the ferry and engulfing significant areas of the boat. Social media videos depicted anxious passengers, predominantly wearing life jackets, huddled on the deck and upper levels while some jumped into the sea amidst flames and smoke.
As the scene unfolded, the ferry was nearly fully engulfed in flames, with passengers clustering on the bridge and bow. A tugboat and another vessel commenced evacuations shortly before 10 a.m., according to reports.
By Sunday afternoon, rescuers from nearby vessels managed to save 225 passengers and crew members, although five bodies were recovered and at least 41 individuals remained unaccounted for.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, with search and rescue teams dispatched from Surabaya. Officials estimated that it would take about six hours to reach the site. A rigid inflatable boat from the Sumenep rescue post attempted to reach the ferry but returned to shore due to rough seas and high waves. The Indonesian Navy also deployed a warship to assist in the efforts.
The ferry, measuring 160 meters (525 feet) long and 25 meters (82 feet) wide, operates on the Surabaya-Makassar route, which typically takes around 40 hours and caters primarily to domestic travelers and freight between Java and Sulawesi.
Indonesia, an archipelago of over 17,000 islands, frequently sees ferry-related travel incidents, with weak safety enforcement often cited as a contributing factor.
