Ferry KMP Putri Yasmin catches fire in Lombok waters

The Motorized Ferry (KMP) Putri Yasmin experienced a fire while navigating the waters off Sekotong Beach in West Lombok, Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB), early Wednesday morning. The Mataram Search and Rescue (SAR) Office received the report of the incident around 04:39 WITA from the captain of Rescue Boat (RB) 220 Mataram.

According to I Gusti Lanang Wiswananda, spokesperson for SAR Mataram, the fire is estimated to have started around 04:15 WITA. The incident occurred at coordinates 8°43'12.37"S-115°47'35.93"E, approximately 16.84 nautical miles from the RB 220 Mataram's position. A rescue team was immediately dispatched at 04:45 WITA, expected to reach the location by 05:10 WITA.

Head of SAR Mataram, Muhamad Hariyadi, emphasized that the primary objective is ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew. The SAR office has deployed KN 220 Mataram, a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB), and a Rigid Buoyancy Boat (RBB) to the scene for evacuation efforts. Coordination is also underway with other vessels in the vicinity.

To further assist, the Denpasar SAR Office has deployed KN SAR Arjuna, and a helicopter from SGi Air Bali is providing aerial surveillance. The exact cause of the fire, along with the number of passengers and crew on board KMP Putri Yasmin, is still being determined. A viral video showed panicked passengers donning life jackets amidst smoke billowing from the vessel.

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We have deployed KN 220 Mataram, RIB, and RBB to the scene to carry out evacuation and coordinate with ships in the surrounding area.