KMP Putri Yasmin Catches Fire in Lombok Strait

A joint search and rescue (SAR) team is conducting an intensive operation following a fire that broke out on the KMP Putri Yasmin in the waters of the Lombok Strait, West Nusa Tenggara, on Wednesday morning.

The incident was reported at 04.15 WITA while the ship was en route from Padang Bai Port to Lembar Port. The Mataram SAR Office received an emergency report at 04.39 WITA and immediately deployed personnel to carry out the evacuation process, according to Muhamad Hariyadi, Head of the Mataram SAR Office.

He stressed that the team’s current priority is the safety of all passengers and crew. ‘We have deployed the KN 220 Mataram, a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB), and a Rigid Buoyancy Boat (RBB) to the scene to conduct the evacuation and coordinate with vessels in the vicinity,’ he stated.

Given the emergency, the Mataram SAR Office is also coordinating with the Denpasar SAR Office, which has deployed the KN SAR Arjuna to assist with the evacuation and a helicopter from SGi Air Bali for wider aerial surveillance.

The SAR operation involves synergy from various elements, including the Mataram SAR Office, Denpasar SAR Office, KMP PortLink II, KAL Lembar, the Indonesian Navy, West Lombok Police, the Water and Air Police of West Lombok, the Lembar Harbourmaster, yachts, SGi Air Bali, the local community, and other relevant parties.

‘As of now, the joint SAR team is still at the scene carrying out the evacuation process,’ he said.