Director General of Sea Transportation Muhammad Masyhud said on\nSunday that the government\u2019s immediate priority was ensuring the safe\nand swift evacuation of everyone aboard the KM Mutiara Sentosa II.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur main focus is ensuring the evacuation of all passengers and crew\nis carried out quickly, safely, and as effectively as possible,\u201d Masyhud\nsaid.<\/p>\n
According to preliminary reports, the fire broke out between 6:00\na.m. and 7:00 a.m. local time in waters north of Sumenep, East Java.<\/p>\n
The Transportation Ministry received the initial report at about 8:30\na.m. local time and immediately coordinated with the National Search and\nRescue Agency (Basarnas) and other relevant authorities.<\/p>\n
As part of the initial response, the ministry\u2019s Sea Transportation\nDirectorate, through the Kalianget Vessel Traffic Service Station,\nbroadcast a maritime distress alert, while the Indonesian Sea and Coast\nGuard deployed the patrol vessel KN Grantin P.211 and readied the KN\nMasalembo to support rescue efforts.<\/p>\n
Masyhud said the cargo vessel Meratus Project 3 was among the first\nships to locate the KM Mutiara Sentosa II, but it could not evacuate\npassengers because it was carrying hazardous cargo. Other nearby vessels\nsubsequently conducted the rescue operation.<\/p>\n
The Sea Transportation Directorate said evacuation efforts were\ncontinuing with support from several commercial vessels, while the cause\nof the fire remained under investigation.<\/p>\n
The Transportation Ministry said it would continue monitoring the\nsituation and provide further updates after all information has been\nverified.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Basarnas said 232 people had been evacuated from the burning\nKM Mutiara Sentosa II in waters north of Sumenep as of 6:00 p.m. local\ntime on Sunday, including 227 survivors and five fatalities.<\/p>\n
Nanang Sigit PH, head of the Surabaya Search and Rescue Office, said\nthe evacuation was carried out by joint rescue teams assisted by several\nvessels operating near the scene.<\/p>\n
\u201cPreliminary data as of 6:00 p.m. show that 232 people have been\nevacuated, comprising 227 survivors and five fatalities,\u201d Nanang\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Translator: M.Harianto, Rahmad Nasution<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesian-govt-deploys-patrol-ships-after-ferry-fire-kills-five-1785723614", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }