Five Dead, Dozens Missing After Fire Breaks Out on Passenger Ship

Sumenep: Five people have been confirmed dead, while dozens of others remain missing, after a fire broke out aboard the KM Mutiara Sentosa 2 as it sailed from Surabaya to Makassar, the Surabaya Search and Rescue (SAR) Office said.
 
“As of 4:00 p.m. WIB, five people have been found dead while 225 others have been rescued alive. Another 41 people remain missing,” Head of the Surabaya SAR Office Nanang Sigit said in an official statement on Sunday, July 2, 2026.
 
The fire erupted in the waters north of Sumenep, off the coast of Madura in East Java. As flames spread rapidly and thick smoke engulfed the vessel, several passengers were reportedly forced to jump into sea for safety.
 
Rescue operations, assisted by nearby vessels including the TB Hasnur 26, were hampered by high waves, strong winds, and intense heat from the burning vessel, further complicating evacuation efforts.
 
The bodies of the victims will be transported to Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya for identification.
 
Officials at the emergency command post are continuing to register the survivors and verify the passenger manifest to ensure everyone aboard the vessel is accounted for.
 
The incident comes just weeks after the KM Nurul Salsa sank, leaving four people dead and 14 others missing.
 
(Jonathan Sianto)