Indonesia Ferry Fire claimed at least five lives after a passenger ferry caught fire at sea on Sunday. Authorities also reported that 41 people remain missing as rescue operations continue.
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Search and rescue officials said emergency teams rescued 225 passengers from the vessel. Several survivors jumped into the sea and nearby ships later picked them up.
Rescue Operation Underway
Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) said four vessels remained on standby near the burning ferry. However, they could not move closer because flammable material on board posed a safety risk.
Meanwhile, the regional Surabaya Search and Rescue Agency confirmed the latest casualty figures. Officials said search teams continue to look for the missing passengers.
Captain Reported Fire
Authorities said the ferry was travelling from Surabaya in East Java to Makassar in South Sulawesi when the fire broke out.
The captain contacted the ferry company to report the fire shortly after the incident began. However, officials said they have not been able to contact him since then.
Search Efforts Continue
A larger rescue team departed from Surabaya to assist in the operation. The journey to the disaster site takes about six hours.
Meanwhile, a senior official at Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation said preliminary reports indicated that many passengers were waiting aboard nearby vessels for evacuation.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire. The search operation remains underway as rescue teams continue efforts to locate the missing passengers.
