At least five people have died and 41 others remain missing after a ferry caught fire off Indonesia’s Madura Island on Sunday, according to the country’s search and rescue agency. Search and rescue operations
are continuing, Reuters reported.
The agency said the ferry was carrying a total of 271 passengers and crew members.
According to data released by the search and rescue agency on Sunday afternoon, 225 people have been rescued so far. The agency said rescue teams are continuing the search for those who are still missing.
Fire broke out during voyage
The ferry was travelling from Surabaya in East Java province to Makassar city in South Sulawesi when the fire broke out. Officials said the incident occurred on Sunday morning. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and it remains unclear how the ferry caught fire.
Search operation continues
Authorities said the search and rescue operation was still underway on Sunday as teams continued efforts to locate the missing passengers.
The latest figures released by the search and rescue agency put the death toll at five, while 41 people remain unaccounted for.
Madura Island, where the incident took place, is located off the northeastern coast of Java. Rescue teams remain engaged in the operation as authorities continue to respond to the ferry fire.
