Indonesia Ferry Fire Kills Five, Dozens Still Missing

At least five people have died, and dozens remain missing after a passenger ferry carrying 271 people caught fire off the coast of Indonesia’s main island of Java on Sunday.

According to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Mutiara Sentosa 2 was travelling from Surabaya in East Java to Makassar in South Sulawesi when the fire broke out early Sunday morning in waters near Madura Island.

The ferry was carrying 232 passengers, 39 crew members, and 181 vehicles, including trucks and an excavator, when the blaze erupted.

Rescue efforts involving emergency teams, passing vessels, tugboats and the Indonesian Navy led to the evacuation of 227 passengers and crew members, while five bodies were recovered. As of Sunday evening, 39 people remained unaccounted for, with search operations continuing.

Authorities said communication with the ferry’s captain was lost shortly after the fire was reported. The vessel was later found almost completely engulfed in flames, forcing passengers to gather at the bow before being rescued.

Preliminary accounts from survivors suggest the fire may have started from a truck on the vehicle deck before spreading rapidly through the ferry. However, officials said the exact cause of the incident is still under investigation.

Rough sea conditions have hindered rescue efforts, prompting authorities to deploy additional rescue vessels and a naval warship to assist in the search for the missing.

Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferry transport for both passengers and cargo. Maritime accidents are relatively common, with concerns frequently raised over safety standards and enforcement.