Search for Ferry Fire Victims in Lombok Strait Expands Southwest

A joint search and rescue (SAR) operation for victims of a passenger ferry fire in the waters of the Lombok Strait is continuing, with teams expanding their search area to the southwest on Thursday. The effort aims to locate five passengers who remain missing following the incident.

Head of the Lombok SAR Office, Muhammad Hariyadi, stated that the operation was extended due to a suspected discrepancy of up to 56 people between the official passenger manifest and the actual number of people on board. “The Mataram SAR Office, together with the Denpasar SAR Office, is expanding the search area by deploying the main SAR vessel KN SAR Arjuna and RIB 02 Mataram. The search is being conducted from the incident location towards the southwest,” Hariyadi said.

In addition to direct surface searches, the joint SAR team is implementing a strategy of disseminating information and appeals to commercial vessels and fishing boats transiting the Lombok Strait. This measure aims to broaden the monitoring reach, with passing vessels asked to provide initial assistance or immediately report to the command post if they spot any signs of the victims.

This is the second passenger ferry fire in the Lombok Strait within ten days. To date, a total of 212 people have been evacuated from the incident, with 211 survivors and one fatality reported. State-owned insurer PT Jasa Raharja has handed over compensation to the heirs of the deceased victim and to those injured. The incidents have prompted calls from the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI) for an independent safety audit and a revision of Law No. 33 of 1964 to strengthen the national transportation system.