Passengers Evacuated from KMP Batumandi Using Emergency Slide

The KMP Batumandi caught fire as it was preparing to dock at Merak Port in Banten. Footage shows passengers being evacuated from the vessel using an emergency slide before boarding a rescue boat operated by the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).

Fishing boats and speedboats also helped evacuate those on board. The passengers were seen wearing life jackets.

In other footage, the survivors arrive at Merak Port and are taken to its Executive Pier, where they receive care. The KMP Batumandi can be seen burning at sea, with thick black smoke rising as a Basarnas vessel sprays water onto it in an effort to extinguish the fire.

Evacuation alarm sounded

Amateur footage shared widely on social media captured the ship’s evacuation alarm. Passengers could be heard shouting “Allahu Akbar”.

They were seen descending the stairs wearing life jackets before being taken by a Basarnas vessel to the pier.

Passengers taken to the Executive Pier

Search and rescue personnel evacuated passengers from the KMP Batumandi after it caught fire at Merak Port in Cilegon. They were brought to Pier 6, also known as the port’s Executive Pier.

According to observations at the scene on Tuesday (20 October), evacuated passengers were in the port’s waiting area. Officials were seen registering and assisting them.

All passengers safe

The Directorate General of Sea Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation, through the Banten Class I Port Authority and Harbormaster Office (KSOP), said all passengers aboard the KMP Batumandi had been evacuated safely. The evacuation took place on Tuesday afternoon.

“According to information received from Merak Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), at 16:56 WIB, the KMP Royce 1 reported that all passengers and crew of the KMP Batumandi had been evacuated onto that vessel. Accordingly, all passengers and crew were reported to have been evacuated safely,” said Yogie Nugraha, head of the Banten Class I KSOP, in a statement.