6 Facts About the KM Mutiara Sentosa Fire Tragedy That Claimed Lives

The fire on KM Mutiable Sentosa 2 in the northern waters of Sumenep, Madura, triggered panic among hundreds of passengers travelling from Surabaya to Makassar. The incident resulted in fatalities and prompted a large-scale rescue operation at sea.

The event, which occurred on Sunday (2/8/2026), drew significant public attention as it took place while the ship was mid-voyage. Here are the facts regarding the KM Mutiara Sentosa 2 fire:

1. The Ship Caught Fire in Northern Sumenep Waters

KM Mutiara Sentosa 2 reportedly caught fire while sailing in the northern waters of Sumenep, Madura, on Sunday morning between 06:00 and 07:00 WIB. The Ro-Ro vessel, owned by PT Atosim Lampung Pelayaran (ALP), serves the Surabaya to Makassar route. Azwar Anas, Head of the Class IV Kalianget Port Authority and Harbour Master Office (KSOP), confirmed the incident. Footage circulating online showed thick black smoke billowing from the hull, with passengers seen wearing life jackets and gathering on the deck awaiting assistance.

2. Passengers Jumped into the Sea to Save Themselves

As the fire intensified, some passengers resorted to jumping into the sea. They were subsequently evacuated by nearby vessels. Nanang Sigit, Head of the Surabaya SAR Office, stated that based on communications with nearby ships, passengers initially held out on the bridge and bow before some decided to jump overboard. Several ships, including TB Hasnur 26 and the British Mentor, assisted in the evacuation.

3. Captain Reported the Fire Before Losing Contact

The shipping company initially received reports of the fire directly from the ship’s captain. However, after the emergency report was made, communication with the captain was lost. This loss of contact heightened the tension of the rescue operation. The Surabaya SAR Office coordinated with the Tanjung Perak Harbour Master, the Sumenep SAR Post, and the Kalianget Coastal Radio Station (SROP) to track the vessel’s position and deploy rescue fleets.

4. East Java Police Investigating the Cause

The Water and Air Police Directorate (Ditpolairud) of the East Java Regional Police immediately deployed a team to investigate the cause of the fire. Kompol Riyanto, Chief of Intelligence for the East Java Water Police, stated that investigators and intelligence teams have been sent to the Madura waters to conduct inspections and gather field data. The investigation is being conducted alongside the ongoing evacuation process.

5. Hundreds of Passengers Successfully Evacuated

Joint SAR teams and nearby vessels worked to evacuate the passengers. Data from the Surabaya SAR Office as of 15:15 WIB recorded that 222 people had been successfully evacuated, with 218 declared safe. The evacuation involved several vessels, including KM Meratus Pematang Siantar, TB Hasnur 26, KM Transco Arafura, KM Meratus Project 3, KM Prakarsa Mas, and KM SC Aila XVII.

6. Four Deaths Reported

Despite the successful evacuation of hundreds, the incident claimed lives. Basarnas confirmed that four passengers were found dead. According to the Surabaya SAR Office, two victims were recovered by KM Meratus Pematang Siantar, one by TB Hasnur 26, and one by KM Meratus Project 3. As of Sunday afternoon, search and rescue operations continued to ensure all passengers and crew were accounted for and to support further incident management.