Generated

Five people died and 41 remain missing after the Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry caught fire off the coast of Java.

At least five people were killed and 41 remain missing after the Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry caught fire on Sunday morning while traveling from Surabaya to Makassar. The fire broke out between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. in the waters off the Sumenep regency, nearly engulfing the vessel. Rescuers and passing ships evacuated 227 people from the burning ship, with many passengers forced to jump into the sea to escape the flames. Survivor Ahmad Abdul Karim noted that the fire likely began in a truck on the lower vehicle deck and spread rapidly due to the wind. The Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency, or Basarnas, confirmed that the vessel was carrying 271 people and 181 vehicles. The Indonesian Navy and several nearby vessels assisted in the rescue operation, which was complicated by rough seas. Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi stated that the government will review the ferry operator's performance once the National Transportation Safety Committee completes its investigation into the cause of the fire.

Sources