Indonesian SAR deploys vessel to evacuate passengers from burning ferry

Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) dispatched the KN SAR 249 Permadi vessel to aid in the evacuation of passengers from the KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry. The ship caught fire in the waters north of Sumenep, Madura.

According to Nanang Sigit PH, head of the Surabaya Class A SAR Office, the agency received initial information about the fire at 8:24 AM WIB from the Tanjung Perak Port Authority. "After receiving the report, we immediately coordinated with relevant agencies and prepared KN SAR 249 Permadi and the rescue team to head to the scene," Nanang stated.

PT Atosim Lampung Pelayaran (ALP), the operator of the ferry, reported that the KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 was en route from Surabaya to Makassar with approximately 250 people on board. The ship's captain initially reported the fire between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM WIB in the northern Madura waters. Communication with the captain was subsequently lost.

Later coordination with the Sumenep SAR Post and SROP Kalianget at 9:45 AM WIB indicated the ship was located about 19 nautical miles north of Pulau Burung, Sapudi. At that point, the vessel was reported to be almost entirely engulfed in flames, with passengers taking refuge on the bridge and bow.

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After receiving the report, we immediately coordinated with relevant agencies and prepared KN SAR 249 Permadi and the rescue team to head to the scene.