A maritime emergency unfolded in the Lombok Strait on Wednesday as a passenger ferry caught fire, resulting in the death of one individual and the rescue of 172 survivors. The incident involving the Putri Yasmin ferry occurred while the vessel was making a transit from Padang Bai port in Bali to Lembar port on the neighboring island of Lombok, located in the West Nusa Tenggara province.
The fire broke out at approximately 4:15 a.m., prompting an emergency report less than 30 minutes later. In response, the Mataram Search and Rescue Office deployed personnel and rescue vessels to the scene. Muhammad Hariyadi, who heads the Mataram Search and Rescue Office, stated that the agency's top priority was the safety of all passengers and crew members.
By the time the rescue mission was underway, authorities had successfully evacuated 172 people from the burning ship, including two Australian tourists. Among those recovered was the body of a 19-year-old Indonesian girl. Official records initially suggested the vessel carried 131 people, including 17 crew members, based on the ship's manifest. However, officials later confirmed that the actual number of people on board exceeded that list, a common discrepancy in Indonesian maritime transport. In addition to the passengers and crew, the ferry was transporting 44 vehicles and 53 motorcycles.
Syamsurizal, the head of the Lembar Port Authority, noted that at least two passengers required hospitalization due to injuries sustained during the incident. Authorities remain engaged in the response operation to ensure that all individuals involved in the crossing are fully accounted for. This fire comes less than two weeks after the Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry caught fire in waters off the main island of Java, an event that resulted in at least five deaths.
"The response operation is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to account for all victims," said Syamsurizal, who like many Indonesians uses a single name.
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