Bali ferry catches fire in rough seas off Lombok

A ferry ferry caught fire at sea off the coast of Lombok, resulting in one fatality and the rescue of over 200 people, including two Australians, according to local officials. The KM Putri Yasmin ferry departed Padangbai port for Lembar port in Lombok when it ignited in the Lombok Strait. Local authorities confirmed that the 19-year-old Indonesian woman who died was the only fatality, while at least 212 others were evacuated to ports in Bali and Lombok.

Rough seas with waves reaching up to 4 meters complicated rescue efforts, prompting the deployment of over 200 personnel and rescue vessels, including Indonesian navy ships, patrol boats, rescue vessels, and a helicopter for aerial surveillance. The ferry was carrying 114 passengers, 17 crew members, 44 vehicles, and 53 motorcycles.

The cause of the fire and whether overcrowding played a role remain unclear. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is conducting urgent inquiries into the incident. Indonesia, with its extensive archipelago of over 17,000 islands, frequently experiences such disasters due to weak safety enforcement.