Moments of the KM Mutiara Sentosa Fire on the Surabaya-Makassar Route

The KM Mutiara Sentosa II, operating on the Surabaya-Makassar route, caught fire at sea on Sunday (2/8/2026). The Ministry of Transportation confirmed the incident, noting that the fire is estimated to have occurred between 06:00 and 07:00 WIB in the northern waters of Sumenep. It is not yet known if there were any casualties in the accident.

The Director General of Sea Transportation, Muhammad Masyhud, stated that the weather at the location was partly cloudy at the time of the incident. He added that the primary focus is currently on ensuring the evacuation process for all passengers and crew members is conducted quickly, safely, and optimally.

“The safety of passengers and crew is our top priority. We are continuously coordinating with all relevant parties to ensure the evacuation process can proceed swiftly, safely, and effectively,” said Masyhud.

According to preliminary reports from the field, passengers are awaiting evacuation by vessels located near the incident site. The Directorate General of Sea Transportation, along with all relevant stakeholders, has also prepared handling measures, including the establishment of a command post to support the coordination of rescue operations.

Director General Masyhud added that the evacuation and handling processes are still ongoing, while the cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Directorate General of Sea Transportation continues to monitor developments on the ground and will provide further information once all data has been verified.

“We will continue to provide regular updates on the handling of this incident once all information received from the field has been verified, ensuring that the information provided to the public is accurate and accountable,” Masyund concluded.