Evacuation Vessels Deployed to Rescue Passengers from Burning KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2

A joint task force has deployed several vessels to accelerate the evacuation of passengers and crew from the Passenger Motor Ship (KMP) Mutiara Sentosa 2, which caught fire in the waters of Sumenep Regency, East Java, on Sunday morning (2/8).

AKP Widiarti, Head of Public Relations for the Sumenep Police, explained that the incident location was confirmed through coordination with officers moving towards the scene. “Based on coordination with the joint officers currently moving to the crime scene, the location is at coordinates 06°30’64” LS and 114°00’19” BT, approximately 19 nautical miles north of Sapudi Island,” said AKP Widiarti.

To support the rescue operation, nine ships have been deployed to the fire site. The fleet involved in the evacuation process includes KN SAR 249 Permadi, vessels from the Surabaya SAR Office, the Sumenep SAR Post, the Surabaya Harbour Master, VTS Surabaya, SROP Kalianget, KSOP Kalianget, the Meratur Project 3 vessel, and TB Hasnur 26.

In addition to deploying maritime assets, the Sumenep SAR Post has dispatched personnel to the scene to strengthen rescue efforts for all passengers and crew. Furthermore, the police force has bolstered field operations by involving personnel from local police stations situated near the incident site.

KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 was reportedly sailing from Tanjung Perak Port, Surabaya, to Makassar when the fire occurred. Initial reports indicate the ship was carrying approximately 250 people, including both passengers and crew members.

The Sumenep waters have previously been the site of several maritime incidents handled by the Sumenep Police Water and Air Unit (Satpolairud), including fires involving KM Sabuk Nusantara 91, KM Khatijah 01, and the cargo ship KLM Usaha Bersama. The Ministry of Transportation, through the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, is conducting intensive coordination to manage the incident involving KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2.