Story perspectives

Fire on Mutiara Sentosa 2 Ferry Kills Five, 28 Missing

8/3/2026

Summary

Mutiara Sentosa 2 Fire

A fire on the Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry killed five people and left dozens missing.
Rescue teams saved about 225 passengers, recovered five bodies and reduced the missing count from 41 to 28 as the 160-metre, 1992-built ferry sailed from Surabaya to Makassar with over 270 aboard.
Survivor Ahmad Abdul Karim said the blaze likely began in a truck on the lower vehicle deck, while authorities continue the investigation.

Summary

Survivors Flag Gaps

Survivors of the Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry said the vessel lacked lifeboats, indicating safety-equipment gaps.
Ministry of Transportation senior official Muhammad Masyhud declared passenger safety a top priority, noting authorities coordinate evacuations.
Because captain’s fire report was the only communication with the ferry company, its silence raised concerns about emergency protocols.
A July ferry sinking near Selayar island left four dead and 14 missing, illustrating a recent pattern of incidents.

History

Historical Context

On 16 April 2014 the South Korean ferry MV Sewol capsized, killing 304 and exposing safety failures. The wreck, weighing about 17,000 tonnes, was raised in March 2017 by a Shanghai Salvage Company consortium, setting a world-record transport. The tragedy spurred South Korean safety reforms and, echoing similar lapses, prompted Indonesia’s transport ministry to tighten ferry inspections after the Mutiara Sentosa 2 fire.

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Mutiara Sentosa 2 Fire

A fire on the Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry killed five people and left dozens missing.
Rescue teams saved about 225 passengers, recovered five bodies and reduced the missing count from 41 to 28 as the 160-metre, 1992-built ferry sailed from Surabaya to Makassar with over 270 aboard.
Survivor Ahmad Abdul Karim said the blaze likely began in a truck on the lower vehicle deck, while authorities continue the investigation.

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