225 rescued as death toll rises to at least 5 in ferry fire
225 rescued, 5 confirmed dead, 41 missing; ferry fire cause under investigation.
Event / Disaster
KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 Ferry Fire
A passenger ferry caught fire on August 2, 2026, while traveling between Surabaya and Makassar in Indonesia. At least 5 people died, 41 remained missing, and 225 were rescued. The cause remained under investigation.
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2026-08-14 to 2026-11-11 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 2 Aug, 14:53 UTC
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What happened
225 passengers and crew rescued from burning ferry
By Sunday afternoon, 225 passengers and crew members were rescued from the Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry by tugboats and nearby passing vessels. A tugboat and another vessel began evacuation shortly before 10 a.m. The Indonesian Navy deployed a warship to assist in rescue operations.
At least 5 confirmed dead in Indonesian ferry fire
At least 5 bodies were recovered from the Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry fire by Sunday afternoon. At least 41 people remained unaccounted for and missing following the maritime disaster.
Indonesian ferry Mutiara Sentosa 2 catches fire in Java waters
The Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry caught fire between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. on Sunday in waters off Sumenep regency near the northern tip of Madura island. The 160-meter-long ferry was traveling from Surabaya to Makassar with 271 people aboard (232 passengers and 39 crew members). The fire broke out approximately 19 nautical miles north of Buruan Sapudi island. Thick black smoke and orange flames engulfed the vessel, with passengers clustered on deck and upper sections awaiting rescue.
Ferry fire cause remains under investigation
The cause of the fire aboard the Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry was not immediately known and remained under investigation at the time of reporting.
Passengers jumped into water as ferry evacuation proceeded
As the burning ferry remained engulfed in flames, passengers were grouped on the bridge and forward section waiting for evacuation. Unable to wait longer for rescue boats to approach, some passengers jumped into the water. Rescue vessels recovered people in life jackets and transferred them to nearby boats.
Ferry fire evacuations hampered by flammable materials on board
Rescue operations faced difficulties in approaching the burning ferry because the vessel was carrying flammable materials. Four rescue boats were positioned near the ferry but unable to move closer due to the dangerous cargo. The main rescue team was six hours away from Surabaya when rescue operations began.
At least 5 confirmed dead and 41 missing after ferry fire in Indonesia
Following the ferry fire, 5 people were confirmed dead and 41 remained missing. A total of 225 passengers and crew members were rescued by nearby vessels and taken to safety. The ship was located approximately 35 kilometers north of Sapudi island.
Cause of ferry fire remains under investigation
The cause of the ferry fire was unknown at the time of reporting and was under investigation by authorities. Communications with the captain and the ship were lost after the initial distress call.
Ferry KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 catches fire off Madura island in Indonesia
A ferry named KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 carrying 271 passengers and crew members caught fire on August 2, 2026, while traveling between Surabaya in East Java and Makassar in South Sulawesi. The captain reported the fire around 7:00 AM local time when the vessel was off the coast of Madura island. The fire spread rapidly across the upper decks, with thick black smoke visible from the ship.
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2 alternative perspectives
Fire Forces Evacuation of Ferry Off Indonesia's Madura Island
Ferry fire off Indonesia kills 5, leaves 41 missing; cause under investigation.