Rescue Operation Underway After Ferry Carrying 131 Catches Fire Near Bali
A ferry with 131 people aboard caught fire near Bali. Rescue teams have evacuated 106 passengers so far.
A major rescue operation is underway in Indonesian waters after a passenger ferry caught fire while traveling between the islands of Bali and Lombok. The vessel, named Putri Yasmin, was carrying 114 passengers and 17 crew members when the incident occurred.
The fire broke out at approximately 4:15 a.m. in the Lombok Strait, shortly after the ferry departed from Padang Bai port in Bali. It was en route to Lembar port in Lombok, which is part of West Nusa Tenggara province.
Muhammad Hariyadi, head of the Mataram Search and Rescue Office, stated that an emergency report was received nearly half an hour after the fire started. Rescue personnel and assets were immediately dispatched to the scene.
According to officials, 106 people have been rescued so far by a combination of rescue teams and passing vessels. The ferry was also carrying 44 vehicles and 53 motorcycles at the time of the incident.
The rescue effort involves multiple agencies and volunteers, with support from Indonesian navy ships and rescue vessels. A helicopter has been deployed to provide an aerial assessment of the burning vessel and assist in coordinating the operation.
Authorities continue to work on evacuating the remaining passengers and crew from the stricken ferry.