On Tuesday, a fire broke out aboard the ferry KMP Batumandi at the port of Merak, Indonesia, after smoke and a small explosion emerged from the stern while the vessel carried 420 people.
Ferry Fire Erupts in Merak Channel
The ferry was arriving from Bakauheni, Lampung, and entering the channel at Merak at about 1600 hours yesterday when the incident unfolded. Smoke began pouring from the stern, followed minutes later by a small explosion and a spreading fire. Passengers dropped themselves down on ropes, climbed over rails, or jumped directly into the water, frequently bypassing life jackets in the rush to escape the flames.
Did You Know? Dozens of harbor fishing vessels raced to the scene in a spontaneous response, maneuvering directly alongside the burning ferry within minutes to rescue survivors.
Local fishermen help rescue survivors
Local fishermen helped with the emergency response, using boats that carried between 10 and 14 people depending on capacity. Fishermen transferred some survivors directly to the pier while relaying others to larger docked ships so the small boats could return immediately for more passengers. Fisherman Eka described the relay system to Kompas, highlighting how quickly the small vessels cycled back to the hazard zone. Six passengers sustained injuries in the incident, and three remain in intensive care. Operator ASDP Indonesia Ferry confirmed there were no fatalities.
Authorities investigate cause of blaze
The blaze burned all the way forward through the wheelhouse before crews extinguished it completely. Initial reports point to an upper-level deck used for stowing smaller vehicles as the possible starting point. Operator ASDP Indonesia Ferry stated that it is currently awaiting official investigation results from the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT). This incident arrives amid a wider sequence of maritime disasters in Southeast Asia, including a September 9 chemical-cargo fire aboard the Philippine ferry June Aster off Palawan that killed at least 77 people, and the September 13 capsizing of the Indonesian ferry Virgo Transport 8 in the Java Sea, which left 80 confirmed dead and 55 missing.
Ferry carries hundreds before fire starts
How many people were aboard the KMP Batumandi when the fire started?
The ferry was carrying 420 people on board as it entered the channel at Merak from Bakauheni, Lampung. Operator ASDP Indonesia Ferry confirmed that, despite the severity of the fire, there were no fatalities.
What caused the fire and how was it handled?
Initial reports suggest the fire may have started on an upper-level deck used for stowing smaller vehicles, eventually burning forward through the wheelhouse before it was fully extinguished. The National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) is conducting an official investigation into the incident.
What were the outcomes of the other recent Southeast Asian ferry accidents mentioned?
On September 9, the Philippine ferry June Aster suffered a suspected chemical-cargo fire off Palawan, resulting in at least 77 deaths and eight missing. On September 13, the Indonesian ferry Virgo Transport 8 capsized in bad weather in the Java Sea, leaving 80 confirmed dead and 55 missing as authorities prepared salvage plans to recover remaining victims.
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