One Dead, 172 Rescued after Ferry from Bali Catches Fire near Lombok

The passenger count exceeded the number recorded on the vessel’s manifest, raising fresh questions about ferry safety and enforcement in the Indonesian archipelago.

Indonesian rescue teams evacuated 172 people after a ferry travelling from Bali caught fire in the Lombok Strait early Wednesday, leaving one person dead and prompting a search for possible missing passengers.

The KM Putri Yasmin departed Padangbai port in Bali for Lembar port on Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara province. The fire was reported at about 4.39 am local time, according to the regional search-and-rescue agency.

By Wednesday afternoon, 172 survivors had been taken to ports in Bali and Lombok. One Indonesian passenger was confirmed dead. One of the rescued passengers was Australian, while the others were Indonesian.

More than 200 personnel and several vessels were deployed in the operation. Boats already in the area also assisted as passengers entered the water to escape the burning ferry.

Passenger manifest raises concern

Officials had not determined how the fire started. It was also unclear whether overcrowding contributed to the emergency.

An official at Padangbai port told Indonesian television that the ferry’s manifest listed only 114 passengers and 17 crew members. The number rescued was already higher than that combined figure, suggesting the official record may not have included everyone on board.

The discrepancy makes it difficult for rescue teams to establish whether people remain missing. A reliable passenger list is critical after an accident because it tells authorities how many people must be accounted for and helps families obtain information.

Investigators are expected to examine ticketing records, boarding procedures, crew statements, fire-safety equipment and the condition of the vessel. They will also need to determine where the fire began and whether passengers received timely evacuation instructions.

Second deadly ferry fire in less than a month

The incident occurred less than a month after the KM Mutiara Sentosa 2 caught fire near Madura island, killing five people. That vessel was also reported to have been carrying more people than were shown on its manifest.

Indonesia consists of about 17,000 islands and relies heavily on ferries. Sea travel is often cheaper and more accessible than flying, especially for residents transporting vehicles, goods and livestock between islands.

The size of the network makes consistent safety enforcement difficult. Indonesia has suffered repeated maritime accidents linked to overcrowding, bad weather, ageing vessels and weak compliance with passenger-record and maintenance rules.

Bali and Lombok are among the country’s best-known tourist destinations. Thousands of international travellers use ferries and fast boats between the islands, meaning the accident may renew scrutiny of safety practices on popular tourist routes.

Indian tourists visiting Indonesia should use registered operators, retain ticket information and pay attention to the location of life jackets and emergency exits. Travellers should also avoid boarding if a vessel appears overcrowded or if sea conditions are unsafe.

The immediate priority is to account for everyone who may have been on the ferry. The difference between the manifest and the number rescued means authorities cannot rely on paperwork alone and may need to gather names from survivors, relatives and ticket sellers.

The casualty figure could change as the search continues. Any update on missing passengers, injuries or the cause of the fire should be added before publication.