At least five dead and 41 missing after ferry fire off Indonesia's Madura island

On August 2, 2026, a fire broke out on a ferry off the coast of Madura island in Indonesia. The vessel, which was traveling from Surabaya to Makassar in South Sulawesi, was carrying 271 passengers and crew members at the time of the incident. According to the national search and rescue agency, 225 people have been successfully rescued as of Sunday afternoon local time.

Despite the ongoing rescue efforts, authorities have confirmed at least five fatalities, and 41 individuals remain missing. Dramatic footage circulating on social media shows passengers wearing life jackets while awaiting instructions during the crisis. Earlier reports indicated that some people remained on board the vessel several hours after the fire started, while rescue crews worked to transfer passengers and cargo to safety.

The exact cause of the fire is currently unknown, and authorities have not yet determined how the blaze began. The national search and rescue operation remains active as teams continue to look for those still missing. No official timeframe has been provided for the conclusion of the search, and authorities continue to manage the aftermath of the tragedy as investigations into the incident proceed.