Five killed, 41 missing after passenger ship catches fire near Indonesia’s Madura Island

WEB DESK: At least five people were killed and 41 others remain missing after a passenger ship caught fire near Indonesia’s Madura Island on Sunday, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation.

According to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, the vessel was travelling from Surabaya in East Java to Makassar in South Sulawesi when the fire broke out.

Authorities said 271 passengers and crew members were onboard at the time of the incident. Rescue teams have so far rescued 225 people, while five deaths have been confirmed.

Emergency teams are continuing search operations using rescue boats and other available resources to locate the missing passengers. Officials said rescue efforts have been intensified in the area.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and authorities have launched an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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Madura Island, located off the northeastern coast of Java, depends heavily on sea transport for travel and commerce. Passenger ships remain a key mode of transportation across Indonesia’s vast archipelago, although concerns over vessel safety and operational standards have contributed to a number of maritime accidents in recent years.

Authorities said they have contacted the families of those affected and pledged to continue rescue operations until every missing passenger has been accounted for.