On Wednesday, a ferry fire near Bali, Indonesia, led to the rescue of 211 individuals and the recovery of a deceased passenger. The Putri Yasmin ferry was en route from Bali to Lombok when the blaze erupted around 4:15 a.m., carrying 44 vehicles and 53 motorcycles. The Mataram Search and Rescue Office was alerted shortly after the incident and quickly mobilized rescue teams.
Rescue operations were challenging due to rough seas, with waves reaching up to 4 meters (13 feet). Videos released by the National Search and Rescue Agency depicted passengers in life jackets crowding onto inflatable rafts amid thick smoke. The rescue efforts included six vessels, a helicopter, and other support, with two injured passengers transported to a hospital.
Initial reports indicated 131 passengers aboard, but authorities later confirmed a higher number, a common occurrence in Indonesia’s ferry operations. Investigators are probing the fire’s cause, which survivors suggest started in a cargo truck. This incident follows another ferry fire less than two weeks prior, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in Indonesia’s maritime travel.
