Rescuers Battle Blaze and Rough Seas to Save Passengers on Bali Ferry
A ferry fire near Bali has led to a major rescue operation, with 106 saved and 25 still awaiting evacuation.
A dramatic rescue operation is underway off the coast of Bali after a passenger ferry caught fire in rough seas early Wednesday morning. Authorities report that 106 people have been safely evacuated, while efforts continue to rescue the remaining 25 individuals still aboard the burning vessel.
The fire broke out at approximately 4:15 a.m. local time while the Putri Yasmin ferry was traveling from Padang Bai port in Bali to Lembar port on the neighboring island of Lombok. The vessel was carrying 114 passengers and 17 crew members, according to the passenger manifest released by the port authority. The ferry also had 44 vehicles and 53 motorcycles on board.
Muhammad Hariyadi, head of the Mataram Search and Rescue Office, stated that the safety of all passengers and crew is the top priority. He noted that rescue efforts have been complicated by rough seas, with waves reaching up to 4 meters (13 feet) high.
The search and rescue agency received an emergency report about half an hour after the fire started and immediately dispatched personnel and vessels. The operation has been supported by Indonesian navy ships, patrol boats, and a helicopter conducting an aerial survey.
Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferries for transportation. However, maritime accidents are not uncommon, and weak safety enforcement is often cited as a contributing factor.