A ferry carrying passengers, vehicles and motorcycles from Bali to the Indonesian island of Lombok caught fire early Wednesday in rough seas, prompting a major rescue operation that saved 211 people, authorities said.
Rescuers also recovered the body of a 19-year-old Indonesian woman from the Putri Yasmin ferry, according to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency.
The ferry was traveling toward Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara province when the fire broke out at about 4:15 a.m. local time. Thick black smoke rose from the vessel as passengers wearing life jackets gathered in inflatable rescue rafts.
Passengers Forced Into Rough Water
Authorities said the ferry was carrying 44 vehicles and 53 motorcycles in addition to its passengers and crew.
Survivors told authorities that the fire appeared to have started in a cargo truck before rapidly spreading through the vessel, according to Syamsurizal, head of the Lembar Port Authority in Lombok.
The heat reportedly forced some passengers to jump into the sea.
At least two injured passengers were taken to a nearby hospital, officials said.
The rescue operation was complicated by rough conditions, with waves reaching about 4 meters, or 13 feet, according to Muhammad Hariyadi, head of the Mataram Search and Rescue Office.
Six vessels, a helicopter, two inflatable boats and two private yachts participated in the operation.
More People Were Aboard Than Listed on Manifest
The number of people aboard the ferry became a major concern as the rescue continued.
Initial information from the ferry’s manifest indicated that 131 people were aboard, including 17 crew members. But authorities later reported that 211 people had been rescued, including seven foreign tourists.
Relatives gathered at an emergency command center at the port and reported that at least five family members were still missing.
Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said authorities would investigate why the number of people aboard differed so significantly from the manifest.
“The findings will be thoroughly reviewed as part of the ministry’s evaluation,” Purwagandhi said. “This is a serious issue that will be thoroughly investigated.”
The National Transportation Safety Committee is investigating the cause of the fire.
Search Continues for Missing Passengers
The search operation continued Thursday as authorities worked to establish a complete accounting of everyone who had been aboard the ferry.
Officials have not yet provided a final number of people still missing.
The discrepancy between the passenger manifest and the number of people rescued also means the final death and missing-person toll could change as authorities reconcile passenger records.
Ferry Was Traveling a Popular Bali-Lombok Route
The Putri Yasmin is a 62-meter, or 203-foot, ferry built in Japan in 1992. It can carry as many as 220 passengers and 55 vehicles.
The vessel regularly transports travelers and cargo between Bali and Lombok, a journey that normally takes about four to five hours.
Bali and Lombok are among Indonesia’s best-known tourist destinations, making ferry connections between the islands an important part of regional transportation.
Seven foreign tourists were among those rescued, according to the National Search and Rescue Agency.
Another Indonesian Ferry Fire Occurred Recently
Wednesday’s disaster came less than two weeks after another Indonesian ferry caught fire in waters near the main island of Java.
That incident involving the Mutiara Sentosa 2 left at least five people dead, according to The Associated Press.
Ferries are a crucial form of transportation in Indonesia, an archipelago consisting of more than 17,000 islands. The country’s geography makes sea travel essential for residents, workers and tourists.
However, ferry disasters have repeatedly raised concerns about passenger safety and enforcement of maritime regulations.
What Happens Next
Authorities are continuing the search for missing passengers while investigators work to determine how the Putri Yasmin caught fire.
Officials are also expected to examine the discrepancy between the vessel’s manifest and the number of people ultimately rescued.
The investigation could also examine the ferry’s cargo, safety procedures and the circumstances surrounding the reported fire in a truck.
The final number of casualties and missing people has not yet been established.
This is a developing story and may be updated as more information becomes available.
