Five dead, 41 missing after Indonesian ferry catches fire, authorities say


Rescue officers prepare for a search and rescue operation after a deadly fire on a ferry, which caught fire off Indonesia's Madura island, in Surabaya, East Java province, Indonesia, August 2, 2026. National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS)/Handout via REUTERS

JAKARTA, Aug ⁠2 (Reuters) - At least five people ⁠were killed and 41 were ‌still missing on Sunday after a ferry caught fire off Indonesia's Madura ​island, the country's search ⁠and rescue agency ⁠said in a statement.

Below are the ⁠details:

• ‌The ferry was carrying 271 passengers and ⁠crew members, 225 of whom have ​been ‌rescued, agency data showed on ⁠Sunday ​afternoon.

• A search and rescue operation was still ongoing, it added.

• ⁠The ferry was heading ​from Surabaya in East Java province to Makassar city in South ⁠Sulawesi.

• It was unclear how the ferry caught fire, but the incident occurred on Sunday ​morning, the statement ⁠said.

• Madura island is located ​off the northeastern coast ‌of Java.

(Reporting by ​Stefanno Sulaiman; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Joe Bavier)

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