At least five people have been confirmed dead while 41 others remain missing after a passenger ferry carrying more than 250 people caught fire while travelling between East Java and South Sulawesi, Indonesian authorities have confirmed.
The vessel, identified as KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2, was sailing from Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city in East Java, to Makassar in South Sulawesi when the captain reported the fire outbreak.
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) said its Surabaya Search and Rescue Office received an emergency report at about 8:24 a.m. local time (02:24 GMT) after receiving information from the shipping company that the fire started between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. local time (00:00–01:00 GMT).
“Based on information from the shipping company, the fire occurred at around 06:00–07:00 local time (00:00–01:00 GMT),” Basarnas said.
The rescue agency said the ferry was almost completely engulfed by flames, forcing passengers to move towards the bridge and bow of the vessel as they waited for emergency assistance.
Footage released by Basarnas and local broadcaster iNews showed thick black smoke pouring from the upper sections of the ferry, with flames spreading across the vessel as frightened passengers, many wearing life jackets, struggled to reach safety.
Some videos showed passengers climbing down the side of the burning ferry before jumping into the sea, while rescue teams deployed lifebuoys and boats to reach those trapped onboard.
Several passengers were seen gathered inside lifeboats, waiting for evacuation as emergency crews continued operations in the surrounding waters.
Authorities said search and rescue efforts remained ongoing as teams worked to locate the 41 passengers still missing. Rescue officials have not ruled out further casualties as the operation continues.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, with investigators expected to begin a detailed inquiry after rescue operations are completed.
Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation made up of more than 17,000 islands, depends heavily on ferry transportation to connect communities separated by sea.
However, maritime accidents remained a recurring challenge in the country, with previous incidents often linked to overcrowding, harsh weather conditions and concerns over compliance with safety regulations.
Officials said priority remained on rescuing survivors and accounting for all passengers and crew members aboard the vessel before investigations into the disaster begin.
