62 Passengers from Fire-Stricken KM Mutiara Sentosa 2 Arrive in Surabaya

A total of 62 survivors of the KM Mutiara Sentosa 2 fire incident in the waters off Sumenep arrived at Tanjung Perak Port, Surabaya, aboard the state vessel KN Masalembo on Tuesday. The passengers who arrived in Surabaya then received medical examinations from a team prepared at the port. Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Air Marshal Muhammad Syafii stated that this figure is an update from the previous count of 57 people on Monday. They were evacuated from Masalembu Island and then transported by ship to Surabaya. ‘There are 62 victims we evacuated from Masalembu Island, and they were then brought to Surabaya,’ he said. Initially, KN Masalembo was expected to arrive at Tanjung Perak Port around 11.00 WIB. However, the journey was delayed due to sea wave conditions, and it finally arrived around 14.00 WIB. ‘Because of the wave conditions, the journey experienced a delay. It is fine now that they have arrived and all passengers are in good condition,’ he added. Basarnas recorded the latest total number of victims at 238 people. This number increased from 233 people reported on Monday. Basarnas confirmed that the search operation is continuing. The KN Permadi, belonging to Basarnas Surabaya, remains on standby at the scene to carry out operations according to the direction of the Basarnas Command Centre. Syafii explained that the search operation will only be halted after all victim data is confirmed through a matching process with the harbour master’s office (KSOP) and the ship’s operator. ‘From the results of the victim evacuation, we will cross-check that data with the KSOP and also the owner. If everything matches, meaning all victims have been evacuated, of course the operation will be stopped immediately,’ he said.