At least five dead, 41 missing after ferry catches fire off Indonesia
A ferry carrying 271 passengers and crew caught fire off the coast of Indonesia's Madura Island, resulting in at least five deaths and 41 missing persons. Search and rescue operations are underway despite challenges in reaching the burning vessel.
Why it matters
Highlights a major maritime disaster and the ongoing humanitarian search and rescue efforts in the region.
The ship was carrying 271 passengers and crew members when the blaze broke out as it sailed eastwards from Java.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info A screen grab shows the passenger ship Mutiara Sentosa 2 catching fire in the waters off Madura, Indonesia [Handout video released August 2, 2026 by Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas)/AFP] By AP and Reuters Published On 2 Aug 2026 2 Aug 2026 At least five people have been killed and 41 are missing after a ferry caught fire off Indonesia’s Madura Island , the country’s search and rescue agency said.
The vessel, the Mutiara Sentosa 2, caught fire between 6am and 7am local time on Sunday (23:00 and 00:00 GMT), while travelling from Surabaya in East Java province to Makassar in South Sulawesi. Madura Island lies off the northeastern coast of Java.
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