MADURA ISLAND : At least five people have died and 41 remain missing after a ferry carrying 271 passengers and crew caught fire while sailing off Indonesia on Sunday, according to search and rescue officials cited by AFP.
The ferry, KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2, was travelling from Surabaya in East Java to Makassar in South Sulawesi when its captain reported the fire, Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) said.
Of the 271 people aboard, 225 had been rescued by Sunday afternoon, according to agency data cited by Reuters.
Several nearby vessels joined the rescue operation as passengers were evacuated from the burning ferry.
Rescue operation underway
Nanang Sigit, head of the Surabaya Search and Rescue Office, said vessels including TB Hasnur 26 and British Mentor were helping rescue passengers who had jumped into the sea.
“Four vessels are now alongside the ferry,” Nanang was quoted as saying by Jakarta Global.
The search-and-rescue vessel SAR 249 Permadi was also heading to the site, although officials estimated it would take around six hours to reach the ferry.
Thick smoke seen as flames spread
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show thick black smoke rising from the ferry’s upper decks as flames spread across the vessel. Passengers wearing life jackets could be seen gathered on one side of the ferry as rescue efforts continued.
Source : Firstpost
