Indonesia Ferry Fire: At Least 5 Dead, 41 Missing As KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 Burns Off Madura Island (Videos)
At least five people have died and 41 others remain missing after a ferry carrying around 250 passengers and crew caught fire off Madura Island in Indonesia on Sunday morning, authorities said. The vessel, KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2, was en route from Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya to Makassar on Sulawesi Island when the captain reported a fire several hours into the voyage, after which communication with the ship was lost.
At least five people have died and 41 others remain missing after a ferry carrying around 250 passengers and crew caught fire off Madura Island in Indonesia on Sunday morning, authorities said. The vessel, KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2, was en route from Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya to Makassar on Sulawesi Island when the captain reported a fire several hours into the voyage, after which communication with the ship was lost. The incident has triggered a large scale rescue operation involving multiple vessels, even as officials work to confirm the exact number of casualties and the cause of the blaze.
Where The Ferry Was Located
The Surabaya Search and Rescue Office said the ferry was located about 19 nautical miles north of Sapudi Island. The vessel was almost completely engulfed in flames, with passengers remaining on the bridge and at the bow awaiting evacuation. Peru Plane Crash: 13 Killed As Tourist Flight to Nazca Lines Crashes Near Nazca (Videos).
Indonesia Ferry Fire
Passengers clamber to bow of BURNING ferry off Indonesia’s Madura Island
At least 5 dead, 41 still missing — rescue efforts ongoing pic.twitter.com/kRb7CrE079
— RTVisual (@RT_Visual_on_X) August 2, 2026
🔴 BREAKING: At least 5 people are dead and 41 missing after a ferry caught fire off Indonesia’s Madura Island. pic.twitter.com/DP0ZFh2ohQ
— Planet Report HQ (@PlanetReportHQ) August 2, 2026
Videos circulating on social media showed thick black smoke billowing from the upper decks as flames spread through the ferry. Passengers wearing life jackets could be seen gathered on one side of the vessel, with some seen jumping into the water in the footage. Nepal: Indian Tourist Rohit Sharma Dies in Phewa Lake Drowning Months Before Wedding.
Rescue Effort Underway
Several nearby vessels joined the rescue effort to assist those onboard. Nanang Sigit, head of the Surabaya Search and Rescue Office, said, "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."
A rescue vessel, SAR 249 Permadi, was also dispatched to the scene but faced an estimated travel time of about six hours to reach the site.
Rescue operations remain ongoing, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 02, 2026 03:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
