Basarnas continues evacuation of KMP Mutiara Sentosa II fire victims

Surabaya (ANTARA) — The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) is continuing the evacuation of victims of the fire aboard the passenger vessel KMP Mutiara Sentosa II in waters north of Sumenep Regency on Sunday (2 August).

Basarnas Chief Air Marshal Mohammad Syafii, when contacted in Surabaya, East Java, on Monday, said the evacuation process for the fire victims was still under way, as some passengers remained aboard the KN Masalembo and were on their way to Tanjung Perak port in Surabaya.

“In addition, there are four people who are still being treated at Kalianget Islamic Hospital, whilst the others have already been able to be brought to Surabaya,” he said.

He explained that the SAR operation would continue for as long as victims remained unaccounted for and the operation was still effective.

“However, we are still confirming the full number on the ship’s manifest,” he said.

He said that, according to information from the ship’s captain, who was also rescued, the first to be confirmed safe were the 25 crew members.

“Then there were also the support staff on board, such as those in catering, whose team-mates have all been confirmed safe,” he said.

He explained that although several people had died, they could still be evacuated because all passengers who jumped from the ship were wearing life jackets.

“So the dynamics in dealing with an emergency are certainly complex. Some passengers could be evacuated by boat,” he said.

He said Basarnas had recorded that 233 victims had so far been evacuated.

“However, not all of them are here (Tanjung Perak, Surabaya) yet, because some are still on Masalembu Island, and hopefully they will arrive in Surabaya tomorrow,” he said.