5 killed, 41 missing after ferry catches fire in Indonesia
The ferry was carrying 271 passengers and crew members when the blaze broke out, according to Indonesia's search and rescue agency. At least 225 people had been rescued by Sunday afternoon.
At least five people were killed and 41 remained missing after a passenger ferry caught fire off Indonesia's Madura island on Sunday, triggering a large-scale search and rescue operation, authorities said.
The ferry was carrying 271 passengers and crew members when the blaze broke out, according to Indonesia's search and rescue agency. At least 225 people had been rescued by Sunday afternoon, while efforts were underway to locate those still missing.
The vessel was travelling from Surabaya in East Java province to Makassar in South Sulawesi when it caught fire near Madura island, off the northeastern coast of Java.
Several vessels were deployed for the rescue operation as authorities worked to search the surrounding waters and account for those aboard.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
The incident comes a little over a year after another deadly ferry fire in Indonesia. In July 2025, at least three people were killed and around 150 rescued after a passenger vessel caught fire off North Sulawesi province.
The KM Barcelona 5, which was carrying around 280 people, caught fire while sailing off Manado, the provincial capital, on July 19 last year.
The 2025 tragedy added to Indonesia's history of deadly ferry fires and maritime accidents.
In May 2021, the KM Karya Indah caught fire in the Molucca Sea shortly after leaving Ternate, forcing passengers and crew to jump into the water.
All 181 passengers, including 22 children, and 14 crew members were rescued with the help of authorities and local fishing boats. No casualties were reported.
Ferry accidents are common in Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago nation with over 17,000 islands. Many incidents are blamed on the lax regulation of boat services.