Fire Erupts on Busy Inter-Island Route
A passenger ferry traveling from Surabaya in East Java to Makassar in South Sulawesi caught fire early Sunday morning, leaving five people dead and dozens missing as rescue teams worked through rough seas. The vessel, identified as the Mutiara Sentosa 2, was carrying at least 271 people according to the manifest, though officials later noted the actual number may have been higher due to common discrepancies in Indonesia.
The blaze began between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. local time while the ship was north of Madura island, roughly 35 kilometers from Sapudi island. The captain alerted the operator about an hour later, but contact was soon lost as flames spread rapidly across the decks.
Passengers Leap Into Sea to Escape Flames
Survivors described the fire starting in the vehicle deck among trucks. Ahmad Abdul Karim, a passenger who escaped, said someone reported smoke from below. When he checked, two vehicles were already burning. Strong winds accelerated the spread, forcing everyone toward the bow within half an hour.
Azhari, another passenger who uses one name, told television interviewers that many had just woken when the fire reached the middle of the ship. With no other choice, people jumped overboard wearing life jackets. Some stayed in the water for nearly four hours before passing vessels pulled them aboard.
Rescue Teams Face Rough Conditions
Indonesia National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) dispatched vessels from Surabaya, though the journey took about six hours. A smaller boat from a nearby post turned back due to high waves. The navy sent a warship, and several cargo ships in the area assisted despite carrying flammable loads that prevented close approach.
By Sunday evening, crews had pulled 225 to 231 people from the water and recovered five bodies. Initial missing counts ranged from 41 down to 28 as families reported names and officials cross-checked manifests. The search area extended ten miles east and west of the incident site and was set to continue for at least seven days.
Manifest Discrepancies Complicate Efforts
Nanang Sigit, head of the Surabaya Search and Rescue Office, explained that ferry passenger numbers often differ from official lists in Indonesia. This practice makes tracking victims harder during emergencies. Officials opened a hotline for families to report unlisted passengers.
The ferry, built in Japan in 1992 and sold to Indonesia in 2015, measures 160 meters long and can carry up to 689 passengers plus 181 vehicles. It operates the 40-hour Surabaya-Makassar route, a common link between Java and Sulawesi for both travelers and cargo.
Government Reviews Operator Performance
Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi stated that authorities will examine the ferry operator, PT Atosim Lampung Pelayaran, once the National Transportation Safety Committee finishes its probe. Determining the exact cause remains the first step before any regulatory changes.
Muhammad Masyhud from the Ministry of Transportation emphasized that passenger safety is the immediate priority and that coordination with all agencies continues to speed up evacuations.
Maritime Accidents Remain Frequent
Indonesia consists of more than 17,000 islands where ferries serve as a primary and affordable transport option. Weak enforcement of safety rules and variable weather contribute to regular incidents. Last month another ferry sank near Selayar island, resulting in four confirmed deaths and 14 people still missing when operations ended.
The Mutiara Sentosa 2 carried 180 vehicles, mostly trucks, which added to the fire risk once flames reached the lower deck. The cause is still under investigation, with no official determination yet released.
Key Points
- Five confirmed dead and between 28 and 41 initially reported missing after Sunday fire on Mutiara Sentosa 2.
- 231 to 238 people rescued by nearby vessels and official teams.
- Fire started in vehicle deck and spread quickly due to wind.
- Search continues with navy and police boats plus helicopter support.
- Manifest passenger count often understates actual numbers on Indonesian ferries.
- Operator performance will be reviewed after safety committee report.
