Update on KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 Fire Victims: 231 Safe, 5 Dead

The joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team continues to evacuate victims of the KMP Mutiress Sentosa 2 fire in the northern waters of Sumenep, Madura, on Sunday (2/8). As of 21:00 WIB, a total of 236 people have been evacuated, with 231 survivors and five confirmed deaths.

This data is a compilation from ten vessels involved in the evacuation of passengers and crew from the KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 since the fire broke out on Sunday morning. “Update on the evacuation as of 21:00 WIB: 231 survivors, 5 deaths, totaling 236 people,” stated the Head of the Surabaya SAR Office, Nanang Sigit, on Sunday night.

Nanang detailed that the vessel Meratus Pematang Siantar evacuated the highest number of victims, including 111 survivors and two fatalities; the ship is currently en route to Surabaya. The vessel TB Hasnur 26 evacuated 65 survivors and one fatality and is awaiting pickup. The Transco Arafura evacuated 17 survivors, who were subsequently transferred to KM Ferindo 1 to be transported to Lembar Port, Lombok.

Furthermore, Meratus Project 3 evacuated 13 survivors and one fatality, while the Prakarsa Mas vessel currently holds six survivors after one passenger was transferred to the Selaras Mas. The SC Aila XVII evacuated nine survivors, who were transferred to KN SAR Permadi for transport to Kalianget, Sumenep. The Alcon Daniel vessel evacuated one fatality and is awaiting pickup. The Selaras Mas is transporting 13 survivors towards Surabaya, while the British Mentor evacuated two survivors. Additionally, one passenger was rescued by fishermen from Ambunten, Sumenep.

Search and identification processes are ongoing. Previously, the KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2, operating on the Surabaya-Makassar route, was reported to have caught fire in the northern waters of Sumenep. The vessel was carrying approximately 250 passengers at the time of the incident.

Nanang Sigit stated that the initial report of the fire was received by the Surabaya SAR Office from the Tanjung Perak Harbour Master at 08:24 WIB. Shortly after, PT Atosim Lampung Pelayaran, the ship’s operator, confirmed the incident. According to the shipping company, the captain reported the fire occurring near northern Madura between 06:00 and 07:00 WIB, after which communication was lost. The SAR team coordinated with the Tanjung Perak Harbour Master and the Kalianget Coastal Radio Station (SROP) to pinpoint the vessel’s location, which was confirmed to be 19 nautical miles north of Buruan Island, Sapudi. At the time, the ship was nearly consumed by flames, with passengers forced to congregate on the bridge and the bow.