Indonesian Ferry Fire Kills 5, Leaves Dozens Missing in Java Waters

A passenger ferry erupted in flames in waters off Java on Sunday, resulting in at least five deaths and leaving dozens unaccounted for as rescue operations unfolded throughout the day. The Mutiara Sentosa 2 was transporting 232 passengers and 39 crew members from Surabaya in East Java toward Makassar in South Sulawesi when the fire ignited between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. near Sumenep regency, according to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, or Basarnas.

The ferry operator, PT Atosim Lampung Pelayaran, reported the emergency roughly an hour after the fire started, with the vessel’s captain indicating the ship was burning near Madura island’s northern edge. Communication with the ferry ceased shortly thereafter, prompting intensified search efforts by authorities and nearby maritime traffic.

By mid-morning, rescuers had pinpointed the ferry’s location approximately 19 nautical miles north of Buruan Sapudi island. Dramatic footage captured thick black smoke consuming the vessel while passengers—many wearing life jackets—crowded onto decks and upper levels, with some jumping overboard as orange flames spread across the ship’s structure.

A tugboat and passing cargo vessel launched evacuation efforts shortly before 10 a.m., successfully rescuing 225 passengers and crew members and recovering five bodies by Sunday afternoon. At least 41 individuals remained missing as of the day’s end, with rescue teams continuing search operations despite challenging sea conditions that hampered initial response efforts.

The 160-meter ferry operates the Surabaya-Makassar route, a roughly 40-hour voyage primarily serving domestic travelers and cargo shipments between Java and Sulawesi. Indonesia’s reliance on maritime transport across its archipelago of more than 17,000 islands has been marked by recurring disasters, with investigators continuing to determine the fire’s origin as weak safety enforcement remains a persistent concern.