Indonesia ferry fire kills five, leaves 41 missing

A vessel carrying at least 250 passengers caught fire off the coast of Madura Island in Indonesia on Thursday morning. The blaze was reported at approximately 07:30 local time, prompting an immediate response from the Indonesian Coast Guard and nearby fishing boats that rushed to the scene to assist with evacuation.

Rescue teams were able to bring the majority of those on board to safety, though authorities confirmed several injuries and a small number of fatalities pending verification. The fire, which originated in the vessel’s engine compartment, was brought under control after roughly two hours, and the wreck was towed to a nearby harbor for further examination. Officials said an investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched, and they are coordinating with maritime agencies to ensure the safety of passengers traveling in the region.