Basarnas: 232 Victims of KMP Mutiara Santosa 2 Evacuated, Five Dead

The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) stated that as of Sunday at 18:00 WIB, 232 victims of the KMP Mutiara Santosa 2 fire in the Northern Waters of Sumenep, East Java, have been successfully evacuated, with 227 survivors and five fatalities recorded.

The Head of the Surabaya Class A SAR Office, Nanang Sigit PH, stated that the evacuation process was carried out by joint SAR elements alongside several vessels located near the incident site. “Preliminary data as of 18:00 WIB shows a total of 232 evacuated victims, consisting of 227 survivors and five deceased,” Nanang said in Surabaya on Sunday.

He explained that the largest number of victims were evacuated by the KM Meratus Pematang Siantar, which rescued 111 people, including 109 survivors and two fatalities. The vessel is currently en route to Surabaya and is expected to arrive around 21:00 WIB to intercept with the KN SAR 249 Permadi.

Furthermore, TB Hasnur 26 evacuated 66 victims (65 survivors and one fatality), Transco Arafura rescued 17 survivors, and KM Meratus Project 3 evacuated 14 victims (13 survivors and one fatality). Other vessels involved included Prakarsa Mas, SC Aila XVII, Selaras Mas, British Mentor, and Alcon Daniel, which carried various numbers of survivors and one fatality.

Nanang noted that several vessels still carrying victims, including TB Hasnur 26, Transco Arafura, KM Meratus Project 3, SC Aila XVII, and Alcon Daniel, are currently awaiting pickup by SAR elements. The operation involved the deployment of KN SAR 249 Permadi, RIB 01 Sumenep, and KRI Nala 363 (Armada II), alongside various commercial vessels in the vicinity to expedite the rescue efforts.