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Indonesia Ferry Fire: Over 200 Rescued, One Dead
17 Aug
Summary
- 211 passengers were evacuated from a ferry fire near Bali.
- One 19-year-old Indonesian woman died in the incident.
- A past ferry fire off Sulawesi killed at least five people.
A ferry fire near Bali on Wednesday, August 12, resulted in the rescue of 211 passengers and the recovery of one deceased individual. The fire reportedly broke out around 4:15 am, prompting an immediate and large-scale search and rescue operation.
Rescuers, dispatched from Mataram, worked in turbulent waters to evacuate passengers, including two Australian tourists. Initial reports of 131 people onboard were inaccurate, with a higher number requiring aid, suggesting a discrepancy between the ship's manifest and the actual passenger count.
This incident is not isolated; a similar ferry fire off Sulawesi in late July led to at least five fatalities. These events have intensified scrutiny on safety enforcement within Indonesia's ferry system, a critical mode of transport between its thousands of islands. Authorities have pledged a thorough investigation into the manifest discrepancies and overall safety protocols.
