Surabaya (Indonesia), 02 August (H.S.): At least five people were killed and 41 remain missing after a passenger ferry caught fire near Madura Island in Indonesia’s East Java province on Sunday. Authorities have rescued 225 passengers and crew members, while a large-scale search and rescue operation is continuing to locate those still unaccounted for.

According to Indonesian English-language daily Jakarta Globe and Türkiye’s state-run Anadolu Agency, the ferry, KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2, had departed from Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya and was bound for Makassar in South Sulawesi when the fire broke out during the voyage. As the blaze spread rapidly through the vessel, several passengers jumped into the sea in an attempt to save their lives.

Local media reported that a total of 271 passengers and crew members were on board the ferry. The rescue operation involves the Indonesian Navy, search and rescue teams, and several nearby vessels, which have been assisting in pulling survivors from the sea.

Nanang Sigit, head of the Surabaya Search and Rescue Office, said the ferry was approximately 19 nautical miles from Buruan Sapudi Island when the incident occurred. Multiple rescue vessels have been deployed, and search operations for the missing passengers are continuing.

Videos circulating on social media show thick black smoke billowing from the ferry’s upper deck as flames engulf large sections of the vessel. The footage also appears to show passengers wearing life jackets gathered on one side of the ferry while awaiting rescue. However, the authenticity of the viral videos has not been independently verified.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, while emergency response and rescue efforts remain underway.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar