A ferry fire off Indonesia’s East Java coast has left at least five people dead and 41 others missing, authorities said. The vessel was carrying about 270 passengers and crew when the blaze broke out near Madura Island early Sunday local time.[4][1]
Passengers wearing life jackets waited for rescue or jumped into the sea as flames engulfed the ship, according to reports. Nearby vessels helped save 225 people, and search-and-rescue teams were still at the scene continuing the operation.[3][4]
The ferry was traveling from Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city, to Makassar when the fire began. The captain reported the fire before communication with the operating company was lost, and officials said they plan to investigate the cause after the search and rescue effort is completed.[3][4]
Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ships for transportation, but maritime accidents remain common amid loose safety rules and frequent fires, according to the Korean report.
