Expert Suspects Vehicle Deck as Origin of Deadly Ferry Fire in Indonesia

An Indonesian maritime safety expert suggests the devastating fire aboard the KM Mutiara Sentosa II ferry likely originated from its vehicle deck, potentially ignited by cargo. Trika Pitana, a professor at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), stated that vehicles carrying flammable substances are a probable cause for the blaze that tragically claimed five lives.

While Pitana acknowledged the engine room as another possible source, he noted this scenario is less probable if the vessel had recently completed its routine annual maintenance, known as docking. He also questioned the effectiveness of the ship's fire suppression systems, such as fire hydrants or sprinklers, which are standard safety equipment expected to activate automatically during a fire.

The expert raised concerns about the crew's competency in handling fires, the accessibility of the affected areas, and whether fire drills or evacuation simulations were conducted. Pitana also pointed to the potential risk posed by the placement of vehicles, emphasizing that any vehicles carrying hazardous materials should be adequately spaced according to their contents.

This incident adds to a concerning list of maritime accidents in Indonesia this year. Pitana urged the government to take strict action against vessels operating without proper certification and to enhance supervision of passengers and cargo. He specifically mentioned issues like overcrowding, which can lead to insufficient life jackets and lifeboats, and overloading, which affects ship stability. The fact that many passengers resorted to jumping into the sea during the fire indicates poor crowd management on the vessel.