Update on KMP Mutiara Sentosa: Hundreds Evacuated, Five Dead

Five passengers have been confirmed dead following the fire aboard the passenger motor vessel (KMP) Mutiara Sentosa 2 in waters north of Sumenep, Madura, on Sunday morning (2/8).

The figure is based on the results of a joint evacuation by the authorities up to 21.00 WIB (Western Indonesia Time), roughly 12 hours after the fire broke out at around 08.00 WIB.

A total of 236 people have been evacuated, comprising 231 survivors and five who lost their lives.

“Evacuation update as of 21.00 WIB: 231 people safe, five dead, 236 in total,” said Nanang Sigit, Head of the Surabaya Search and Rescue Office, on Sunday night.

The KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 was carrying 232 passengers and 39 crew members on the Surabaya–Makassar route, meaning 35 passengers and crew members have yet to be evacuated.

In addition to passengers, the vessel was carrying hundreds of motor vehicles: 15 motorcycles, 25 cars, 140 lorries, and one piece of heavy equipment.

Evacuation of the remaining passengers is continuing, with the joint team using ships in the vicinity of the incident.

A total of 111 surviving passengers and two victims from the KM Mutiara Sentosa 2 arrived at Tanjung Perak Port in the early hours of Monday (3/8). They were among those evacuated using the assistance vessel Meratus Pematang Siantar.

At the scene, a number of the victims were observed to be elderly. Some were pushed in wheelchairs before being laid down on carpets and pillows provided by the port authorities.

“We prioritised 111 survivors to disembark first. They were then taken to the Gapura Surya Nusantara Terminal for registration by joint officers,” said Nanang.

At the registration point, all persons on board underwent health checks. The medical team assessed the condition of each victim before they were either released or referred to health facilities. Several victims requiring more intensive treatment were immediately referred to the nearest hospital.

Meanwhile, the Medical and Health Team (Biddokkes) of the East Java Regional Police examined two bodies before they were transferred to Bhayangkara HS Samsoeri Mertojoso Hospital in Surabaya for further handling.

Around 35 minutes later, at 00.25 WIB on Monday (3/8), the KN SAR 249 Permadi docked at Kalianget Port carrying nine people on board who had earlier been evacuated using the vessel SC Aila XVII.

The nine victims immediately underwent identity registration by joint officers. Of that number, four were referred to Garam Hospital in Sumenep for medical treatment, while the remaining five were transported overland to Surabaya.

After checking and confirming with all the vessels that evacuated passengers from the KMP Mutiara Sentosa II, the joint SAR team obtained data showing that a total of 331 passengers had been evacuated, comprising 229 evacuated alive and five dead.

The SAR operation involved various elements, including the Class A Surabaya SAR Office, Tanjung Perak Main Port Authority (KSOP), VTS Surabaya, SROP Surabaya, KSOP Kalianget, SROP Kalianget, the East Java Regional Police, the East Java Regional Police Water Police Directorate, the Sumenep Police, the Sumenep Water Police, the East Java Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Sumenep Regency BPBD, the Surabaya City BPBD, the Second Fleet Command via KRI Nala-363 and KRI Bung Hatta, as well as vessels near the incident site, namely the Meratus Pematang Siantar, Meratus Project 3, TB Hasnur 26, Prakarsa Mas, Transco Arafura, SC Aila XVII, Alcon Daniel, Selaras Mas, and British Mentor.

As of the early hours of Monday (3/8), three vessels were still en route to Surabaya: KM Ferindo 1, Selaras Mas, and KRI Nala.

Nanang said the initial report of the fire was received by on-duty officers at the Surabaya SAR Office from the Tanjung Perak Harbour Master at 08.24 WIB. A minute later, PT Atosim Lampung Pelayaran, the vessel’s operator, also confirmed the incident to duty officers.

Communication between the SROP and the vessel Meratus Project 3, which was near the scene, at 09.45 WIB confirmed the position of the KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 as 19 nautical miles north of Buruan Island, Sapudi.

“The vessel was almost completely burnt out, and the passengers were gathered on the bridge and the bow,” he said.