A massive fire broke out aboard the Putri Yasmin ferry early Wednesday while it was sailing from Padang Bai port in Bali to Lembar port in Lombok, leaving one person dead and prompting a large‑scale rescue operation.
The blaze erupted at around 4:15 am, with the ferry carrying 224 passengers and crew along with 44 vehicles and 53 motorcycles. The Mataram Search and Rescue Office confirmed that 172 people had been rescued so far, while efforts continue amid rough seas with waves up to 4 metres.
Emergency teams including Indonesian navy ships, patrol boats, rescue vessels, and a helicopter were deployed to battle the fire and evacuate passengers. “Our top priority is the safety of all passengers and crew members,” said Muhammad Hariyadi, head of the Mataram Search and Rescue Office.
The emergency report was received nearly 30 minutes after the fire started, triggering immediate deployment of rescue personnel.
Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferries for inter‑island travel. However, ferry accidents remain common, with weak safety enforcement often cited as a contributing factor.
Authorities said the ferry is undergoing inspection, while survivors are being assisted and investigations into the cause of the fire are underway.
