A massive search and rescue operation is underway in Indonesia after a passenger ferry carrying 271 people caught fire while crossing the Java Sea. Authorities say at least five people have died, 225 have been rescued, and 41 remain missing.

The ferry was traveling from Surabaya, East Java, to Makassar, South Sulawesi, when the captain reported flames onboard. Emergency responders, supported by nearby vessels, rushed to evacuate passengers as the ship burned. Officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire while rescue teams continue searching for survivors.

Deadly Indonesia Ferry Blaze Sparks Major Search And Rescue Mission | Indonesia Ferry Fire

A passenger ferry carrying 271 people caught fire in the Java Sea while sailing from Surabaya in East Java to Makassar in South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

According to Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), five people have been confirmed dead, while 41 remain missing as rescue operations continue. Emergency teams are working to evacuate passengers and crew after the vessel caught fire during its journey.

Authorities say the captain alerted the ferry company shortly after the blaze broke out, triggering a large-scale search and rescue mission involving multiple emergency agencies.

Indonesia Ferry Fire: 5 Dead, 41 Missing After Passenger Ferry Catches Fire in Java Sea

At least five people were killed, and 41 others are still missing after a passenger ferry caught fire off the coast of Madura Island, East Java, on Sunday Morning. The ferry KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 was travelling from Tanjung Perak Port in Indonesia’s second-largest city, Surabaya in East Java, to Makassar ​city ​in South ⁠Sulawesi when the ship's captain reported the fire incident. There were ​271 passengers and crew members on board; 225 of them have been rescued, Reuters reported, citing agency data. The cause of the fire still remains undetermined; rescue operations are underway.The Surabaya Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas) is leading a large-scale emergency response. Local media reports suggest that most of the ferry has been engulfed in fire and people jumped into the water to save themselves. The Surabaya Search and Rescue Office said it first received notification of the fire at 8:24 a.m. from the Tanjung Perak Harbormaster's Office.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-araghchi-agree-to-open-hormuz-to-stop-trump-s-planned-us-strikes-on-iran-1785657566859">Did Araghchi agree to open Hormuz to stop Trump’s planned US strikes on Iran? What we know</a>"TB Hasnur 26 and the British Mentor are assisting in evacuating passengers who jumped from KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2. Four vessels are now alongside the ferry," said Nanang Sigit, head of the Surabaya Search and Rescue Office.&nbsp;This is a developing issue; further details are awaited.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">BREAKING: At least five people have died and 41 remain missing after the passenger ship KM Mutiara Sentosa 2 caught fire this morning off Madura Island in the Java Sea, near Sumenep Regency, Indonesia. Inaccurate passenger manifests continue to hamper search and rescue efforts. <a href="https://t.co/qqSgMYlh5B">pic.twitter.com/qqSgMYlh5B</a>&mdash; Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) <a href="https://x.com/WeatherMonitors/status/2083849399533437421?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

At least five people were killed and 41 remain missing after a passenger ferry caught fire off Indonesia's East Java coast. Rescue operations continue.

At least five people were killed, and 41 others are still missing after a passenger ferry caught fire off the coast of Madura Island, East Java, on Sunday Morning. The ferry KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 was travelling from Tanjung Perak Port in Indonesia’s second-largest city, Surabaya in East Java, to Makassar city in South ⁠Sulawesi when the ship's captain reported the fire incident. There were 271 passengers and crew members on board; 225 of them have been rescued, Reuters reported, citing agency data. The cause of the fire still remains undetermined; rescue operations are underway. The Surabaya Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas) is leading a large-scale emergency response. Local media reports suggest that most of the ferry has been engulfed in fire and people jumped into the water to save themselves. The Surabaya Search and Rescue Office said it first received notification of the fire at 8:24 a.m. from the Tanjung Perak Harbormaster's Office. Also Read: Did Araghchi agree to open Hormuz to stop Trump’s planned US strikes on Iran? What we know "TB Hasnur 26 and the British Mentor are assisting in evacuating passengers who jumped from KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2. Four vessels are now alongside the ferry," said Nanang Sigit, head of the Surabaya Search and Rescue Office. This is a developing issue; further details are awaited.

At least five people were killed and 41 remain missing after a passenger ferry caught fire off Indonesia's East Java coast. Rescue operations continue.

Indonesia ferry fire: 5 dead, 41 missing after passenger ship catches fire off East Java coast

A fire broke out on an Indonesian ferry carrying hundreds of people on Sunday (July 20), killing at least five people. According to the officials, more than 200 were rescued, as many people jumped overboard to flee the huge blaze. Indonesia’s Maritime Security Agency said that the KM Barcelona 5 ferry was engulfed in flames off the coast of Sulawesi island. This comes weeks after at least 19 people were killed after a ferry sank off the popular resort island of Bali.&nbsp;“Five people were reported dead, two of whom have yet to be identified. Meanwhile, 284 people have been evacuated safely,” the agency said in a statement.&nbsp;The passenger ferry was on its way to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, when the fire broke out. According to the statement, some passengers jumped overboard with life jackets. Fishermen also helped evacuate the passengers to nearby islands. The injured were taken to the nearest health facility, it added.&nbsp;The incident happened when the ferry was about an hour away from the resort town of Likupang, in the northern tip of Sulawesi, Manado search and rescue agency head George Leo Mercy Randang told AFP.&nbsp;A video released by the Manado agency showed the ferry emitting black smoke as a Bakamla vessel sprayed water on it. “What is important is that we are prioritising rescue before nightfall,” George said. He did not confirm the total number of people aboard the ferry. The authorities did not say what was the cause of the incident. &nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BREAKING: A fire broke out around 1:30 p.m. local time today on the KM Barcelona VA ferry off the coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The vessel, carrying over 280 people from the Talaud Islands to Manado City, forced passengers to leap into the sea. No confirmed casualties… <a href="https://t.co/7zkSEk3ZMB">pic.twitter.com/7zkSEk3ZMB</a>&mdash; Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) <a href="https://twitter.com/volcaholic1/status/1946889006215549379?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Earlier this month, a boat carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members sank en route to tourist island of Bali from Banyuwangi on the eastern coast of Java island, killing at least six. Dozens others were also missing in the incident, which happened at the time of bad weather conditions.

The incident happened when the ferry was about an hour away from the resort town of Likupang, in the northern tip of Sulawesi

A fire broke out on an Indonesian ferry carrying hundreds of people on Sunday (July 20), killing at least five people. According to the officials, more than 200 were rescued, as many people jumped overboard to flee the huge blaze. Indonesia’s Maritime Security Agency said that the KM Barcelona 5 ferry was engulfed in flames off the coast of Sulawesi island. This comes weeks after at least 19 people were killed after a ferry sank off the popular resort island of Bali. “Five people were reported dead, two of whom have yet to be identified. Meanwhile, 284 people have been evacuated safely,” the agency said in a statement. The passenger ferry was on its way to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, when the fire broke out. According to the statement, some passengers jumped overboard with life jackets. Fishermen also helped evacuate the passengers to nearby islands. The injured were taken to the nearest health facility, it added. The incident happened when the ferry was about an hour away from the resort town of Likupang, in the northern tip of Sulawesi, Manado search and rescue agency head George Leo Mercy Randang told AFP. A video released by the Manado agency showed the ferry emitting black smoke as a Bakamla vessel sprayed water on it. “What is important is that we are prioritising rescue before nightfall,” George said. He did not confirm the total number of people aboard the ferry. The authorities did not say what was the cause of the incident.

The incident happened when the ferry was about an hour away from the resort town of Likupang, in the northern tip of Sulawesi.

At least five killed after fire breaks out on Indonesian passenger ferry; 284 people evacuated safely

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Deadly Indonesia Ferry Blaze Sparks Major Search And Rescue Mission | Indonesia Ferry Fire

Indonesia Ferry Fire: 5 Dead, 41 Missing After Passenger Ferry Catches Fire in Java Sea

5 dead, 41 missing after passenger ship catches fire off East Java coast

At least five killed after fire breaks out on Indonesian passenger ferry