Indonesia ferry fire leaves five dead, 41 missing
Passengers jumped into the sea to escape
According to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), several passengers jumped into the sea to escape the flames. Many of them were rescued by a nearby vessel that responded to the emergency.
Officials said rescue teams acted quickly to save as many passengers as possible. However, dozens of people remain unaccounted for.
Rescue operation continues
The Surabaya Search and Rescue Agency said a total of 225 people had been rescued during the operation. Authorities have launched a large-scale search involving rescue personnel and multiple vessels.
Officials said the operation will continue until every missing passenger has been accounted for. Rescue teams are also monitoring sea conditions to support the ongoing search.
Rescue vessels face difficult conditions
Basarnas said four rescue vessels remained on standby near the ferry but could not move closer because of the danger posed by flammable materials on board. Officials said the safety of rescue personnel remains the top priority during the operation.
Special precautions are being taken before firefighters and rescuers board the damaged ferry. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to minimise further risks.
The captain reported fire before losing contact
According to Basarnas, the ferry’s captain informed the ferry company about the fire shortly after it broke out. Officials said contact with the captain was later lost, and no further communication has been established.
The circumstances surrounding the captain’s disappearance remain unclear. Authorities said an investigation will begin after the rescue operation is completed.
Larger rescue mission dispatched
A larger rescue operation has been dispatched from Surabaya to the disaster site. Officials said the journey to the affected area takes around six hours.
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Additional rescue personnel, equipment, and emergency resources have been deployed to strengthen the search operation. Authorities hope the expanded mission will improve the chances of finding the missing passengers.
Passengers await evacuation
A senior official at Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation said preliminary reports indicated that some passengers were waiting to be evacuated by nearby vessels.
Rescue teams are working with ships in the area to safely bring survivors ashore. Officials said every available resource is being used to assist those affected by the incident. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Investigation to follow rescue efforts
Authorities said a formal investigation will begin after the rescue operation is completed.
Investigators are expected to examine the cause of the fire and determine whether safety procedures were properly followed. Officials said the findings will help prevent similar incidents in the future. Further updates are expected as search and rescue efforts continue.
