Ferry catches fire off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia

A passenger ferry named KM Putri Yasmin caught fire early Wednesday morning while traveling from Padangbai in Bali to Lembar in Lombok, Indonesia. The incident began at 04:39 local time, prompting an immediate large-scale rescue operation involving over 200 search and rescue personnel, the Indonesian Navy, and nearby vessels.

The ferry was carrying approximately 130 passengers, with reports indicating at least 114 to 130 people on board. Indonesian authorities confirmed that passengers were evacuated to various rescue craft, with 30 individuals transported back to Bali, 59 taken to Lembar, and 17 rescued by a naval ship. Officials, including Mataram search and rescue chief Muhammad Hariyadi, stated that there are currently no reported injuries or deaths, and an investigation into the cause of the fire is expected to follow.

This incident follows a series of recent maritime safety concerns in the region. The successful evacuation of all passengers without reported casualties marks a positive outcome for the rescue mission, which was coordinated by local authorities in the West Nusa Tenggara province.