Ferry fire off East Java kills five, dozens missing
A fire broke out on a ferry off the coast of East Java, Indonesia, killing at least five people and leaving dozens missing. Rescue operations are underway.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A fire broke out on a ferry off the coast of East Java, Indonesia, killing at least five people and leaving 41 others missing. The vessel was travelling from Surabaya, Indonesia's second largest city, to Makassar on the island of Sulawesi when it caught alight. Local media reported that passengers jumped into the sea to escape the blaze. The ferry had a capacity to carry more than 250 people.
Rescue operations were complicated by the fire's rapid spread. The captain contacted emergency authorities, but by the time officials gathered information and sent rescue vessels, the fire had engulfed most of the ship. Dramatic images showed thick black smoke billowing from the ferry and passengers with life vests jumping from the bridge and the front of the ship into the sea. Nearby tug boats and other vessels were unable to get close for fear of explosions and falling debris, but they managed to rescue at least 227 people. It took about six hours for official rescue teams to reach the site.
The cause of the fire remains unclear. Indonesia, an archipelago of 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferry transport, which is often the cheapest option. However, the country has a history of ferry accidents, with critics pointing to poor safety standards, overcrowding, and rapidly changing weather. Last year, high tidal waves sank a ferry near Bali, killing 26 people. Another ferry sank last month, leaving four people missing. Despite new safety measures, enforcement at the ground level remains inconsistent.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC News |
|---|---|
| At least five people died and 41 others were missing after a ferry fire. | |
| Rescuers saved at least 227 people from the ferry fire. | |
| The cause of the ferry fire was still unknown. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC News focused on the rescue operation's challenges, including the six-hour delay for official rescue teams and the fear of explosions that kept nearby vessels at a distance. The report also contextualised the disaster within Indonesia's broader history of ferry accidents, highlighting safety concerns and previous incidents. The tone was factual and detailed, with a reporter providing on-the-ground analysis.
- “there were some dramatic pictures showing thick black smoke billowing out of this ferry and also social media showing pictures of people with life vests jumping from the bridge to the one corner of ship”
- “they were able to save at least 227 people according to the latest count so still 41 people are missing”
- “Indonesia has one of the highest probably the highest ferry disasters ferry accidents in the world”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.