The morning crossing between Bali and Lombok began with an emergency evacuation. A ferry travelling from Padangbai to Lembar caught fire in the Lombok Strait, leaving passengers surrounded by thick smoke and waves around four metres high.
The KMP Putri Yasmin left Padangbai Port at around 2 am, heading for Lembar. It caught fire in the waters of the Lombok Strait, off the coast of Sekotong in West Lombok, as the ferry was approaching its destination port.
The fire started at around 4:15–4:20 am. The Mataram Search and Rescue Office received an emergency report at around 4:40 am and immediately dispatched personnel to the scene.
Passengers put on life jackets and gathered in one part of the vessel. In a video from the scene, people can be heard repeatedly calling for help. Even before rescuers arrived, passengers were being evacuated onto nearby vessels.
There were more than 110 people on board. According to the latest information from the Mataram Search and Rescue Office, 106 passengers were safely evacuated to the ports of Padangbai and Lembar. Of these, 30 people were taken to Padangbai aboard the KMP Port Link, 59 to Lembar aboard the KN SAR Arjuna 220 rescue vessel, and another 17 aboard an Indonesian Navy vessel. One person died during the evacuation.
The operation was coordinated by the Mataram Search and Rescue Office. The KN SAR 220 rescue vessel and several inflatable rescue boats were dispatched to the scene. Another rescue vessel, the KN SAR Arjuna, was sent from Denpasar. An SGi Air Bali helicopter was used for aerial surveillance.
At one point, the evacuation was temporarily suspended due to weather and sea conditions. Northerly winds of around 15 knots were blowing in the area, while waves reached 3–4 metres. Rescuers resumed the evacuation after conditions improved.
The operation involved the Mataram and Denpasar search and rescue services, other passenger and rescue vessels, the Indonesian Navy, West Lombok Police, the marine police, Lembar port authorities, nearby yachts and local residents.
Padangbai port authorities also reported that the vessel had undergone the required seaworthiness and technical safety compliance checks before departure.
Emergency assistance centres were set up for passengers and their relatives at the ports of Padangbai and Lembar. Medical staff and ambulances are on standby there, and people are being provided with food, water and other essentials.
The cause of the fire has not yet been established.
You can add one right now!