In brief
A passenger ferry departed Surabaya bound for Makassar when a blaze erupted near Madura Island, causing five fatalities and leaving 41 people missing. The vessel, carrying 271 passengers, saw emergency crews scramble to launch lifeboats and ventilate smoke. Video footage shows dozens of people donning life jackets from a crumbling bow, while flames spew from the vessel’s hull. Search‑and‑rescue agencies have called for further safety audits on Indonesia’s ferry routes while awaiting full casualty figures.
Five People Found Dead, 41 Missing After Indonesian Ferry Catches Fire
A passenger ferry leaving Surabaya for Makassar literally went up in flames off Madura Island, leaving a grim tally of five confirmed deaths and 41 people still unaccounted for.
The vessel, laden with 271 travelers, suffered a sudden fire that was reported by the captain while sailing. Local footage from the news broadcaster iNews shows passengers in life jackets “clutching life‑boats” as they race to escape rising smoke.
Rescue teams from the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) have launched a coordinated search, scouring the waters for survivors in the wake of the blaze. Early reports say there are no obvious signs of survivors in the wreckage, but crews remain hopeful.
Officials are urging stricter safety inspections on Indonesian coastal routes, citing the violent nature of the fire and the lack of immediate evacuation records. A full assessment of the disaster is expected as teams comb the sea for more evidence.
