At least five dead and 41 missing after Indonesian ferry catches fire

At least five people lost their lives and 41 others remain missing following a ferry fire off Indonesia's Madura island, according to the country's search and rescue agency. Local reports indicate the ferry, carrying approximately 250 passengers and crew members, caught fire, triggering a massive rescue operation. The vessel, named Mutiara Sentosa 2, was en route from Surabaya to Makassar when the captain reported the blaze, several hours into the journey.

The incident unfolded north of the Sapudi Islands, with initial reports suggesting 250 individuals were onboard. Nanang Sigit, head of the Surabaya Search and Rescue Office, confirmed the fire's location and passenger count. Intense black smoke billowed from the ship as rescue efforts persisted. The cause of the fire remains undetermined at this time.

Authorities stated that evacuating passengers and cargo to rescue vessels was underway. As of 11:20 AM local time, around 40 individuals were still on board the ferry while evacuation efforts continued. Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation emphasized the paramount importance of passenger and crew safety, coordinating with all pertinent agencies to ensure a swift and secure evacuation process.

Ferries are a common mode of transportation in Indonesia, home to over 17,000 islands. However, accidents are not uncommon due to frequent instances of overcrowding and insufficient safety equipment.