Fire Breaks Out on KMP Mutiara Sentosa, Captain Loses Contact
A fire on the passenger ferry KMP Mujuara Sentosa 2 in the northern waters of Madura has created a tense situation. After reporting that the vessel was on fire, the captain of KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 suddenly became unreachable.
According to reports, PT Atosim Lampung Pelayaran (ALP) immediately contacted the Surabaya SAR Office to request assistance and report the emergency involving the vessel, which operates on the Surabaya-Makassar route.
The Head of the Surabaya SAR Office, Nanang Sigit, explained that the first information regarding the ship fire was received by alert officers on Sunday (2/8/2026) at 08:24 WIB from the Tanjung Perak Harbour Master. One minute later, PT ALP also contacted the Surabaya SAR Office to report that KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2, carrying approximately 250 passengers and crew, was on fire in the waters north of Madura.
Nanang stated that the information received by the company came directly from the ship’s captain. At that time, the captain was still able to report the emergency situation before communication was ultimately lost. “The shipping company received info from the captain that the ship was burning at the northern tip of Madura around 06:00-07:00 WIB, and after that, the captain could no longer be reached,” said Nanang, based on the Surabaya SAR operational report.
The loss of contact with the captain has heightened the urgency of the situation, as the condition of the ship and the passengers cannot be confirmed. In response, the Surabaya SAR Office immediately coordinated with the Tanjung Perak Harbour Master to track the ship’s last known position. Simultaneously, the Sumenep SAR Post coordinated with the Kalianget Coastal Radio Station (SROP) to contact vessels in the vicinity of the incident.
Communication with the Meratus Project 3 vessel revealed that KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 was located approximately 19 nautical miles north of Buruan Island, Sapudi. At that time, the ship was reported to be almost entirely consumed by fire, with passengers sheltering on the bridge and the bow of the ship while awaiting rescue.
Due to its flammable cargo, the Meratus Project 3 could not approach the location. However, the tugboat TB Hasnur 26 declared its readiness to approach KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 to evacuate all passengers. Meanwhile, the Surabaya SAR Office has prepared the KN SAR 249 Permadi along with rescue teams to proceed to the scene. The Sumenep SAR Post has also deployed a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) to strengthen the search and rescue operation. As of the latest report, the evacuation process for the passengers is ongoing. The Surabaya SAR Office and all relevant agencies continue to coordinate to ensure all passengers are safely rescued from the burning vessel.