A passenger ferry fire off Indonesia’s Madura Island has left at least five people dead and 41 others missing, triggering a large-scale rescue operation in the Java Sea.
The vessel, identified as KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2, caught fire while sailing in waters north of Madura Island in East Java on Sunday, August 2. The ferry was carrying passengers and crew when the blaze broke out, forcing many people to rush to the deck and bow of the ship in search of safety.
According to rescue officials, some passengers jumped into the sea to escape the flames. Nearby vessels quickly moved in to help evacuate those on board, while search-and-rescue teams coordinated the emergency response. So far, officials say 225 people have been rescued, but the search for the missing is still ongoing.
Authorities have not yet confirmed what caused the fire. The captain reportedly alerted officials about the blaze before communication with the ship was lost. As the fire spread, the ferry became increasingly difficult to control, forcing rescuers to focus on evacuating survivors from the water and the damaged vessel.
Indonesia’s search-and-rescue agency deployed multiple boats to the area, and more vessels were later sent to support the operation. Rescue workers continue to search the surrounding waters for those who are still unaccounted for.
The incident has once again raised concerns about passenger safety at sea, especially on busy ferry routes across Indonesia’s vast island network. Ferries are an important mode of transport in the country, but maritime accidents remain a recurring risk during long routes and rough weather conditions.
For now, the priority remains rescue and recovery. Officials are expected to release further updates as more passengers are accounted for and investigators begin examining how the fire started.
