Passengers Leap into Sea After KM Mutiara Sentosa is Engulfed by Fire

Panic gripped hundreds of passengers on the KMP Mutiara Santosa 2 as fire consumed the vessel in the waters north of Sapudi Island, Sumenep. With the ship nearly burnt to the ground, several passengers resorted to jumping into the sea to save themselves.

Based on monitoring from ships docked at the scene, passengers were reportedly cornered in the outer deck area of the vessel. The Head of the Surabaya SAR Office, Nanang Sigit, stated that communications with the Meratus Project 3 vessel near the location indicated that KMP Mutiara Santosa 2 was positioned 19 nautical miles north of Buruan Sapudi Island. The condition of the ship was nearly entirely burnt, with passengers trapped on the bridge and the bow.

This situation left several passengers increasingly desperate as they were surrounded by fire and smoke. According to reports received by the Surabaya SAR Office, some passengers attempted to save themselves by plunging into the sea. Several passengers were evacuated by the TB Hasnur 26 and the British Mentor vessel, with four other ships present in the vicinity.

The dramatic rescue process for the passengers is ongoing, prioritising the evacuation of those remaining on the bridge as well as those floating in the ocean.

It was previously reported that KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 caught fire at the northern tip of Madura between 06:00 and 07:00 WIB. The vessel, operating on the Surabaya-Makassar route, was carrying approximately 250 passengers and crew members. Video footage of the fire circulated on social media, showing thick black smoke billowing from the hull and spreading across the rest of the ship.