Five Dead, 41 Missing After Ferry Carrying 271 People Catches Fire Near Indonesia’s Madura Island
At least five people have been confirmed dead and 41 others remain missing after a passenger ferry caught fire off Indonesia’s Madura Island on Sunday, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation.
According to Indonesian authorities, the ferry was carrying a total of 271 passengers and crew members when the blaze erupted during its voyage. The country’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) said that 225 people had been rescued as emergency responders, the navy, and nearby vessels joined efforts to evacuate those on board and search for the missing.
The vessel was traveling from Surabaya in East Java to Makassar in South Sulawesi when the fire broke out in waters near Madura Island. Dramatic images and videos from the scene showed thick black smoke engulfing the ferry as passengers wearing life jackets awaited rescue or evacuated into the sea.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire, and an investigation has been launched. Search operations are continuing as rescue teams comb the surrounding waters in hopes of locating the missing passengers.
Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferry transportation to connect its regions. Maritime accidents remain a recurring concern, with officials frequently facing challenges related to vessel safety, overcrowding, and adverse weather conditions.
Source: This report is based on information published by NDTV.
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