Roundup: Five dead after KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 catches fire

Surabaya, East Java - A fire that struck the KMP Mutiability Sentosa 2 ferry on the Surabaya-Makassar route on Sunday (2/8) in the waters north of Sumenep, Madura, East Java, has resulted in five deaths.

According to data from the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) as of 18:00 WIB, a total of 232 people from the KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 have been successfully evacuated, consisting of 227 survivors and five fatalities. It is not yet confirmed whether the deceased were passengers or crew members.

“Preliminary data as of 18:00 WIB shows that a total of 232 people have been evacuated, with 227 survivors and five deaths,” stated the Head of the Surabaya Class A SAR Office, Nanang Sigit, in Surabaya on Sunday.

Footage of the ship fire was captured by passengers and circulated on social media. The recordings show the KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 engulfed in flames with thick black smoke billowing from the vessel, while passengers were seen wearing orange life jackets.

The fire was reported to have occurred between 06:00 and 07:00 WIB while the ship was at the northern tip of Madura. During the incident, communication with the ship’s captain was lost. The KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 was carrying approximately 250 people on board.

At 08:24 WIB, the Surabaya SAR Office received information from the Tanjung Perak Harbour Master regarding the vessel fire in the northern waters of Madura. Shortly after, PT Atosim Lampung Pelayaran reported that the ferry, carrying around 250 passengers and crew, caught fire while sailing from Surabaya to Makassar.

Following the report, the Surabaya SAR Office coordinated with the Tanjung Perak Harbour Master to determine the ship’s last known position, while the Sumenep SAR Post coordinated with the Kalianget Coastal Radio Station (SROP) to accelerate search efforts. By 09:45 WIB, crew from the Meratus Project 3 vessel located the KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 approximately 19 nautical miles north of Burung Island, Sapudi. At that time, parts of the ship were reported to be burning, with passengers clinging to the bridge and the bow.

The Meratus Project 3 vessel was unable to dock due to its cargo of flammable materials. The evacuation process was initiated by the crew of TB Hasnur 26 at 09:59 WIB, alongside the deployment of a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) 01 by the Sumenep SAR Post.

Around 10:20 WIB, several passengers reportedly jumped into the sea to save themselves, subsequently being rescued by TB Hasnur 26 and the vessel British Mentor. The Head of Public Relations for the Sumenep Police, AKP Widiarti, stated that approximately nine vessels participated in the rescue, including KN SAR 249 Permadi, vessels from the Surabaya SAR Office, Sumenep SAR Post, Tanjung Perak Harbour Master, VTS Surabaya, SROP Kalianget, KSOP Kalianget, Meratus Project 3, and TB Hasnur 26.

Survivors and the deceased are currently being evacuated to Surabaya via various vessels. The Sumenep Regency Government has also deployed 20 ambulances to Kalianget Port as a precaution for any incoming casualties. Local authorities have coordinated with port authorities, security forces, and disaster management teams to ensure the evacuation and medical services proceed optimally.

The largest group of evacuees was rescued by KM Meratus Pematang Siantar, which carried 111 people (109 survivors and two deaths). Other rescue efforts included TB Hasnur 26 (66 people; 65 survivors, 1 death), Transco Arafura (17 survivors), and Meratus Project 3 (14 people; 13 survivors, 1 death). Other vessels including Prakarsa Mas, SC Aila XVII, Selaras Mas, British Mentor, and Alcon Daniel also contributed to the rescue operations.