Another Indonesian ferry catches fire, passengers rescued

A navy vessel and multiple ships joined forces Wednesday to rescue over 100 individuals from a burning ferry off the tourist island of Bali, officials reported. This marks the second such incident in recent days. According to the passenger list, 114 people were on board when the ferry caught fire early Wednesday. The passenger ferry was en route from Bali to neighboring Lombok when the fire broke out.

Muhamad Hariyadi, head of the search and rescue agency in Mataram on Lombok Island, confirmed that passengers were safely evacuated using at least three vessels, including a navy ship and another ferry. Surveillance was provided by a helicopter, which monitored the situation from the air. As of now, no casualties have been reported, and authorities have confirmed that no passengers remain on the ship.

Hariyadi stated that they have taken steps to ensure the safety of all passengers. Last week, a ferry fire off Java Island claimed the lives of five people, highlighting the recurring issue of marine accidents in Indonesia. These disasters are often attributed to lax safety standards and unpredictable weather conditions. Just last month, a ferry carrying more than 70 people sank near Selayar, a small island south of Sulawesi.

Although four bodies were recovered, the search for the remaining 14 people continued, leaving them officially missing.