Death Toll Rises to Five Following KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 Ship Fire

The death toll from the KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 fire in the northern waters of Sumenep, Madura Island, East Java, has risen to five people. Meanwhile, 227 passengers have been successfully evacuated and are reported to be safe.

The Head of the Surabaya SAR Office, Nanang Sigit, stated that this data is the latest update as of 17:00 WIB. The evacuation and victim identification process is being conducted by nine vessels positioned around the incident site.

“Update as of 17:00 WIB: 227 people successfully evacuated safely, 5 fatalities,” said Nanang on Sunday afternoon (2/8).

The Meratus Pematang Siantar was recorded as evacuating the largest number of passengers, with 109 survivors and two fatalities. The TB Hasnur 26 evacuated 65 survivors and one fatality, while the Meratus Project 3 rescued 13 survivors and one fatality. The Icon Daniel was also reported to have evacuated one fatality. Other vessels involved in the rescue included the Transco Arafura (17 survivors), Prakarsa Mas and SC Aila XVII (7 survivors each), Selaras Mas (7 survivors), and the British Mentor (2 survivors).

Nanang provided the full details of the evacuation based on reports received by the Surabaya SAR Office from the vessels involved in the search and rescue operation. “The search for any other potential victims is still being carried out by the joint team as of this report,” he added.

Previously, the KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 was reported to have caught fire in the northern waters of Sumenep on Sunday morning. The vessel, operating on the Surabaya-Makassar route, was carrying approximately 250 passengers at the time of the incident.

Nanang Sigit stated that the initial report of the fire was received by the Surabaya SAR Office standby officers from the Tanjung Perak Harbour Master at 08:24 WIB. One minute later, PT Atosim Lampung Pelayaran, the ship’s operator, also confirmed the incident to the officers.

According to information from the shipping company, the captain initially reported that the fire occurred at the northern tip of Madura between 06:00 and 07:00 WIB, after which communication with the captain was lost. The SAR team immediately coordinated several steps upon receiving the information. At 08:30 WIB, the Surabaya SAR Office coordinated with the Tanjung Perak Harbour Master to confirm the vessel’s last position. Coordination continued at 09:00 WIB between the Sumenep SAR Post and the Kalianget Coastal Radio Station (SROP).

Communication between the SROP and the Meratus Project 3, which was near the location, at 09:45 WIB confirmed that the KMP Mutiability Sentosa 2 was located 19 nautical miles north of Buruan Island, Sapudi. “The ship was almost entirely burnt, and passengers were gathered on the bridge and the bow,” Nanang said.