Post by : Badri Ariffin

Five people have died and 41 others remain missing after an Indonesian ferry carrying at least 250 people caught fire while sailing near Madura Island, according to officials.

The vessel, identified as KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2, was travelling from Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city in East Java, to Makassar in South Sulawesi when the incident occurred.

Fire Reported During Voyage

According to Basarnas, Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, the ship’s captain reported the fire while the ferry was at sea.

Basarnas said the Surabaya Search and Rescue Office received information about the emergency at 08:24 local time (02:24 GMT). The agency stated that information from the shipping company indicated the fire started between 06:00 and 07:00 local time (00:00-01:00 GMT).

In a statement posted on TikTok, Basarnas confirmed that the passenger vessel had caught fire during its journey. The cause of the blaze was not immediately known.

Ferry Almost Fully Engulfed by Flames

Rescue officials later reported that the ferry was "almost entirely engulfed in flames."

Basarnas said passengers were gathered on the ship’s bridge and bow while waiting for help to arrive.

Images and videos shared by local Indonesian broadcaster iNews showed thick smoke and flames rising from the upper section of the ferry. Other footage captured passengers attempting to escape the burning vessel.

Passengers Evacuated as Rescue Efforts Continue

Video clips from the scene showed large groups of passengers wearing life jackets aboard what appeared to be a lifeboat.

Additional footage showed people climbing down from the ferry while rescue operations were underway. Some passengers were seen jumping into the sea as lifebuoys were thrown toward them before they were taken aboard rescue vessels.

Search and rescue teams continue efforts to locate the 41 people who remain missing, while authorities work to determine the circumstances that led to the fire.

#Indonesia News #World Update #Global Updates #World News