Ministry investigates Mutiara Sentosa ferry fire in Java Sea

3 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry has launched an investigation to determine the cause of a fire that broke out aboard the passenger ferry KM Mutiara Sentosa II off Sumenep District, East Java, over the weekend.

Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi confirmed that official inquiries are underway while relevant authorities monitored ongoing rescue, recovery, and passenger care operations following the Sunday morning (August 2) disaster.

“The investigation will be carried out immediately to determine the cause of the fire on the ship,” Dudy said in a written statement in Jakarta on Monday.

The vessel caught fire between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. West Indonesian Time on Sunday in the Java Sea, north of Sumenep.

Maritime authorities received the distress alert at 8:30 a.m. WIB via the Kalianget Radio Shore Station (SROP), triggering a multi-agency emergency response coordinated by the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).

Minister Dudy personally monitored the evacuation effort from Kalianget Port in Sumenep, confirming that the rescue of passengers and crew proceeded smoothly.

Expressing deep condolences over the tragedy, he assured that all available maritime resources were deployed to locate all individuals onboard and provide immediate medical attention.

The Directorate General of Sea Transportation deployed Sea and Coast Guard (KPLP) patrol vessel KN Grantin P.211 alongside the KN Masalembo to assist with rescue and salvage efforts.

Nearby commercial vessels—including the TB Hasnur 26, KM Prakarsa Mas, KM Meratus Pematang Siantar, and KM Transco Arafura—also diverted to the scene to pull survivors from the water.

During his field visit, Minister Dudy met with Sumenep Regent Achmad Fauzi Wongsojudo and the local Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda) to coordinate victim relief, commending local officials, military and police personnel as well as private vessel operators for their rapid emergency response.

“Such inter-regional synergy is crucial in expediting rescue efforts and providing a sense of security to the public,” Dudy said.

Following his site inspection in Sumenep, the minister traveled to Surabaya to oversee the central response from an Integrated Command Post established at the Gapura Surya Nusantara Terminal at Tanjung Perak Port.

The command post is operating as a unified hub to manage passenger re-registration, deliver initial medical and psychological care, and distribute verified updates to victims’ families.