Fishermen Help Evacuate Passengers from Burning KMP Batumandi off Merak

Fishermen near Merak Port were the first group to evacuate passengers from the KMP Batumandi after it caught fire in the waters off Merak. After the incident, the fishermen and local residents were gathered and given assistance.

One of the fishermen, Pramudya, said fishermen and nearby residents began evacuating passengers spontaneously. The fishermen used their own resources to start their boats and help with the rescue.

“We acted spontaneously when we saw what had happened. There was no co-ordination and nobody told us what to do; we were simply moved by a sense of humanity, and we all headed straight to the scene,” he said in Merak on Wednesday (21 October 2026).

About 50 boats were involved. After learning of the incident, boats that had been stationary immediately made for the scene and evacuated passengers.

“As for how many boats, probably around 50 fishing boats—all of them may have gone out,” he said.

Heru Widodo, president director of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry, said the company was grateful to all the fishermen and residents of Medaksa, Merak, for helping evacuate the passengers. He acknowledged that Merak’s fishermen and residents were the first to carry out the rescue.

“Our colleagues were extraordinary in helping evacuate the KMP Batumandi. I saw that the people of Medaksa did not ask who someone was; they quickly helped anyone who needed assistance,” he said.

ASDP said it was grateful that the fishermen had acted quickly to help save the passengers, all of whom survived.

“Before any other assistance arrived, you were the very first to come and help the passengers. This was an extraordinary act, and I would like to express my thanks and appreciation,” he said.