A massive rescue operation is underway in Indonesia after a passenger ferry carrying 271 people erupted in flames at sea, forcing terrified travelers to leap from the burning vessel into the water.
At least five people were killed and 41 remained missing after the Mutiara Sentosa 2 caught fire Sunday morning while traveling from East Java to South Sulawesi.
Dramatic videos shared on social media showed thick black smoke swallowing the ferry as passengers wearing life jackets jumped from its upper decks in a desperate bid to escape.
The vessel was carrying 232 passengers and 39 crew members when the fire broke out near the coast of Java between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. local time on Aug. 2, according to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, known as Basarnas.
Nearby ships managed to rescue 225 passengers and crew members and recover five bodies. However, dozens of people were still unaccounted for as search teams raced against time.
The ferry operator reportedly alerted the Surabaya search and rescue office about an hour after the fire began. Officials later lost contact with the operator, adding to the confusion surrounding the unfolding disaster.
At approximately 9:45 a.m., authorities received updated information about the ferry’s location from a nearby cargo ship. That vessel was unable to move closer because it was carrying a flammable load.
Basarnas released footage showing smoke pouring from one side of the ferry before spreading across the sky. Other videos showed the ship engulfed in smoke as frightened passengers abandoned the vessel.
A tugboat and another passing ship began evacuating survivors at around 10 a.m.
Rescuers also dispatched a vessel from Surabaya, but officials estimated that it would take approximately six hours to reach the scene.
The mission suffered another setback when turbulent waters forced an inflatable rescue boat to turn back. The Indonesian Navy later sent a warship to assist with the operation.
Muhammad Masyhud of Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation said authorities were working with multiple agencies to rescue those still missing.
“The safety of passengers and crew is our top priority,” Masyhud said. “We are continuously coordinating with all relevant parties to ensure that the evacuation process can proceed quickly, safely, and effectively.”
The cause of the fire remained unknown, and an investigation was underway.
According to Marine Traffic, the Mutiara Sentosa 2 is approximately 525 feet long and 82 feet wide.