The moment just before the passengers of the ship KM Mutiara Sentosa jumped into the sea. Photo: Screen grab / XInfoLocal media reports ship was carrying 250 peopleThe NationalAugust 02, 2026At ⁠least ⁠five ​people were killed and 41 are ⁠still ​missing ⁠after ‌a ​ferry caught fire off Indonesia's Madura island, the country's search ​and ‌rescue ⁠agency ​said ​in ‌a statement ⁠on ⁠Sunday.Local media reported that the ferry was carrying around 250 passengers and crew when it caught fire off, prompting a large-scale rescue operation involving several vessels.The ferry, KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2, had departed Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya for Makassar when the ship's captain reported a fire several hours into the voyage.“The ship caught fire north of the Sapudi Islands. Initial information indicates there were 250 people on board,” Nanang Sigit, head of the Surabaya Search and Rescue Office, said in a statement.Television footage showed thick black smoke billowing from the vessel as rescue operations continued.The cause of the fire was not immediately known.Authorities said passengers and cargo were being transferred to rescue vessels. As of 11.20am local time, about 40 people remained aboard the ferry while evacuation efforts continued.Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation said the safety of passengers and crew was the top priority and that it was co-ordinating with all relevant agencies to ensure the evacuation was carried out quickly and safely.More to follow ...Updated: August 02, 2026, 9:56 AM