Update on KM Mutiara Sentosa 2 Fire Victims: 5 Dead, 41 Missing
The Surabaya SAR Office has released the latest data regarding the massive fire incident affecting the KM Mutiara Sentosa 2 on the sailing route from Surabaya to Makassar. As of Sunday afternoon (2/8), five people have been reported dead, while dozens of other passengers remain missing and are currently being searched for.
The Head of the Surabaya SAR Office, Nanang Sigit, confirmed that the joint evacuation team is still working intensively at the scene to locate the missing victims. According to the official manifest, KM Mutiara Sentosa 2 was carrying a total of 271 people, comprising both passengers and crew members. The latest breakdown of the casualty handling as of 16:00 WIB is as follows:
“As of 16:00 WIB, five evacuated victims have been confirmed dead and 225 people are safe. 41 people are still being searched for,” stated Nanang Sigit in an official statement on Sunday (2/8).
The fire occurred in the waters north of Sumenep, Madura, East Java. Due to the rapidly spreading flames and thick smoke, several passengers were reported to have been forced to jump into the sea to save themselves.
The joint SAR team, assisted by nearby vessels including the TB Hasnur 26, faced significant challenges during the rescue process. High waves, wind speeds, and the intense heat and smoke from the vessel served as the primary obstacles to the search operations.
The deceased are scheduled to be evacuated to Tanjung Perak Port, Surabaya, for identification and further medical handling. Officials at the emergency post are continuing to record the data of the injured to ensure all individuals on the manifest are accounted for.
Maritime transport safety in Indonesia has come under intense scrutiny throughout 2026. The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has deployed the KN SAR 249 Permadi vessel to support the evacuation process of the KM Mutiara Sentosa 2 passengers. The Ministry of Transportation, through the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, is conducting intensive coordination to manage the fire incident.