At least five people have died and 41 remain unaccounted for after a ferry caught fire while sailing off the coast of Indonesia.

The vessel, named KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2, was transporting more than 250 passengers from Surabaya in East Java to Makassar in South Sulawesi when the incident occurred.

Timeline and Response

  • The ship's captain reported the fire near Madura Island early on Sunday morning.
  • Authorities estimate the blaze started between 6:00 and 7:00 local time.
  • National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) confirmed the ferry was almost entirely engulfed in flames.
  • Passengers were seen clinging to the ship's bridge and bow, awaiting rescue.

Rescue Efforts

Video footage released by local news outlets and Basarnas shows passengers wearing life jackets boarding lifeboats and jumping into the sea. Rescue teams have been deploying lifebuoys and retrieving survivors onto rescue vessels.

The search and rescue operation is ongoing as authorities work to locate the missing individuals.