Basarnas: Evacuated Victims of KMP Mutiara Sentosa II Fire Rise to 238

The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) reported that the number of victims evacuated from the fire aboard the KMP Mutiara Sentosa II has increased to 238. The search operation in the waters north of Sumenep Regency, Madura, is ongoing. Basarnas Chief Mohammad Syafii stated at an integrated command post at Tanjung Perak Port, Surabaya, that the figure had risen from the 233 reported the previous day. He detailed that 62 of the evacuees are still in transit to Surabaya after being temporarily evacuated to Masalembu Island. Their arrival was delayed by rough sea conditions, pushing the estimated docking time back by two to three hours. Syafii confirmed that the search operation at the incident site is continuing, involving the Basarnas vessel KN SAR 249 Permadi. The operation will proceed in accordance with the concept of operations issued by the Basarnas Command Center. Before concluding the search, Basarnas will cross-check the number of evacuated victims with data from the Harbormaster and Port Authority (KSOP) and the shipping company that owns the vessel. Syafii emphasised that the operation would only be halted once all victims are confirmed to have been evacuated according to the manifest data.