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Indonesia : A massive fire on a ferry near Madura Island in Indonesia has caused widespread panic. Five people on board have died, while 41 are still missing. It is reported that approximately 271 people were on board. A search and rescue operation is currently underway to locate the missing.

According to local media reports, the ferry was traveling from Surabaya in East Java province to Makassar city in South Sulawesi when it caught fire a few hours after boarding. Approximately 271 passengers and crew members were on board at the time of the fire. A massive rescue operation involving several vessels was launched. Following the fire, 225 people were rescued.

 Officials are working to rescue passengers

According to the Indonesian Transportation Ministry, passengers are being transferred to rescue vessels. As of 11:20 a.m. local time, approximately 40 people remained on the ferry during the rescue operation. The Indonesian Transportation Ministry stated that the safety of passengers and crew is of paramount importance, and they are working with all relevant agencies to safely evacuate people.

Such accidents have happened before 

This incident comes a year after another deadly ferry fire in Indonesia. In July 2025, at least three people died and about 150 were rescued after a passenger ship caught fire off the coast of North Sulawesi province. The ship, named KM Barcelona 5, was carrying about 280 people. It caught fire while moored off the coast of the provincial capital, Manado, on July 19 last year.

Why are passenger boats prone to accidents?

Ferries are a popular mode of transportation in Indonesia, a country of more than 17,000 islands, but accidents are common. Ships are often overloaded with passengers and cargo, and life-saving equipment often malfunctions due to inadequate safety measures. Passengers are often involved in boat accidents.