A blaze on an Indonesian passenger ferry leaves at least 5 dead and dozens missing
A passenger ferry caught fire off the coast of Indonesia, resulting in at least five deaths and dozens of missing persons. Rescue operations are underway to evacuate the 271 people who were on board.
Why it matters
This is a major maritime disaster requiring international attention and highlighting safety concerns in regional passenger transport.
SURABAYA, Indonesia — An Indonesian ferry carrying 271 people caught fire in waters off the main island of Java on Sunday, leaving at least five people dead and dozens missing as rescuers and passing vessels evacuated hundreds from the burning ship, officials said.
The Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry was traveling from Indonesia's second-largest city of Surabaya in East Java to the city of Makassar in South Sulawesi, with 232 passengers, 39 crew members and 181 vehicles, mostly trucks, and an excavator, when the fire broke out between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. in waters off Sumenep regency, according to Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency, or Basarnas.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in