---
title: "Indonesian Ferry Fire: Five Dead and Forty-One Missing Near Madura Island"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/indonesian-ferry-fire-five-dead-and-forty-one-missing-near-madura-island-3b9sh
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: World
published: 2026-08-02T10:46:47.000Z
modified: 2026-08-02T13:01:13.453Z
language: en-IN
---

# Indonesian Ferry Fire: Five Dead and Forty-One Missing Near Madura Island

At least five passengers died and 41 remain missing after a blaze consumed the KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2. The vessel was carrying over 250 people when it caught fire during a transit between Surabaya and Makassar.

## Key takeaways

- The KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 was carrying at least 250 people when a fire broke out near Madura Island.
- Indonesian search and rescue agency Basarnas confirmed five deaths and 41 missing passengers.
- The ship was traveling between Surabaya, East Java, and Makassar, South Sulawesi.
- Survivors were forced to jump into the sea or crowd the vessel's bow as flames engulfed the ship.

## Emergency Response Near Madura Island

A maritime disaster off the coast of Madura Island has left five people dead and dozens unaccounted for after the KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 caught fire. The vessel, carrying at least 250 passengers, was traveling from Surabaya in East Java to Makassar in South Sulawesi when the captain issued a distress call. According to the National Search and Rescue Agency, known as Basarnas, the Surabaya office received the first alerts regarding the ship's condition at 08:24 local time (02:24 GMT).

### Chaos at Sea and Rescue Efforts

Preliminary reports from the shipping company indicate the fire broke out between 06:00 and 07:00. As the flames spread, the ferry became almost entirely engulfed. Footage released by local news outlet iNews and official Basarnas social media channels documented the harrowing conditions onboard. Passengers were seen huddled on the bridge and bow of the ship to escape the heat, while others leaped into the water to avoid the smoke. Rescuers observed the following during the operation:
- Large groups of passengers gathered in life jackets on lifeboats and the ship's exterior.
- Evacuees used ropes to climb down the side of the burning vessel.
- Rescue teams deployed lifebuoys to pull individuals from the sea onto secondary ships.

While search and rescue operations continue, officials confirmed that 41 people remain missing. The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined, but the severity of the fire forced many to abandon the ship before specialized rescue teams could arrive on the scene.

Source: BBC — World

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/indonesian-ferry-fire-five-dead-and-forty-one-missing-near-madura-island-3b9sh
Reported from: BBC — World