Indonesia: Passengers rescued after Bali ferry catches fire

Indonesian authorities successfully rescued over 130 individuals from a ferry engulfed in flames near the popular tourist island of Bali on Wednesday. The incident occurred on the Padang Bai-Lembar route, a vital maritime link connecting Bali and Lombok, frequently used by both locals and tourists.

The fire broke out on the Putri Yasmin Ferry around 4:15 a.m. local time while it was en route from Padang Bai port in Bali to Lembar port on Lombok. The Mataram Search and Rescue Office received an emergency report approximately 30 minutes later, prompting the immediate deployment of rescue vessels and personnel.

Muhammad Hariyadi, head of the Mataram Search and Rescue Office, confirmed that all passengers had been safely evacuated from the vessel, with no immediate reports of casualties. "We have approached the ship and confirmed that all passengers are no longer on board. We visually see no passengers on the ship," he stated. While the exact number of passengers was still being verified, initial reports indicated 114 passengers and 17 crew members, along with 44 vehicles and 53 motorcycles.

Rescue efforts were reportedly complicated by rough seas, with waves reaching up to 4 meters (13 feet). Despite the challenging conditions, nearby vessels assisted in the evacuation, with one ferry taking 30 passengers to Bali. Other rescued individuals were transported to Lombok via search and rescue and naval vessels.

This incident marks the second major ferry fire in Indonesia this month, raising concerns about marine safety in the archipelago. Last week, five people died in a ferry fire off the coast of Java Island, and a previous incident involved a ferry sinking near Seayar Island with over 70 people on board.

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We have approached the ship and confirmed that all passengers are no longer on board. We visually see no passengers on the ship.