Coordinating Minister AHY: Government to Immediately Investigate KM Mutiara Sentosa Fire

The Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), has ensured that the government will immediately conduct an investigation to determine the exact cause of the KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 fire in the northern waters of Sumenep, Madura, on Sunday (2/8). He emphasised that the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) will directly investigate the incident.

AHY expressed deep condolences and concern regarding the incident, hoping that all victims receive the best possible care. The Ministry of Transportation, through the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, alongside Search and Rescue (SAR) teams, is currently working to ensure the evacuation process and the verification of passenger data are completed.

“In general, first, the Ministry of Transportation, specifically the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, is still ensuring the verification of passenger data from the evacuation, working alongside SAR teams and patrol vessels,” said AHM in Bangkalan, East Java.

The Chairman of the Democratic Party emphasised that the government will launch an investigation immediately to uncover the precise cause of the incident.

“The government will launch an investigation immediately because we must know exactly what caused this incident,” he stated. AHY highlighted the importance of re-checking vessel conditions, human resources regarding crew and passengers, and weather conditions.

“The investigation will be conducted by the KNKT, and it will take time to explain the cause to everyone,” AHY explained. He stressed that safety must be the top priority in maritime transport. The implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), fixed procedures, weather mitigation, and ensuring vessel seaworthiness must be strengthened to prevent similar occurrences.

“We want to ensure that regarding maritime transport, it is ‘safety first’. SOPs and fixed procedures must be followed, passenger safety is number one, weather must be mitigated, and we want to ensure ships are always in seaworthy condition, free of technical issues, as our spirit is to continue rejuvenating our fleet,” AHY concluded.

Previously, the Passenger Motor Ship (KMP) Mutiara Sentosa 2 was reported to have caught fire in the waters north of Sumenep, Madura, on Sunday (2/8). The vessel, operating on the Surabaya-Makassar route, was carrying approximately 250 passengers at the time of the incident.

The Head of the Surabaya SAR Office, Nanang Sigit, stated that initial information regarding the fire was received from the Tanjung Perak Harbour Master at 08:24 WIB. Shortly after, the operator, PT Atosim Lampung Pelayaran, also confirmed the incident.

According to the shipping company, the captain reported the fire occurred in the northern tip of Madura between 06:00 and 07:00 WIB, after which communication with the captain was lost. SAR teams coordinated with the Tanjung Perak Harbour Master and the Kalianget Coastal Radio Station (SROP) to pinpoint the vessel’s location, which was found 19 nautical miles north of Buruan Island, Sapudi.

As of 21:00 WIB on Sunday night, a total of 236 passengers from KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 had been evacuated, with 231 survivors and five confirmed fatalities.