No lives were therefore lost in this latest in a series of ferry fires in Southeast Asia. However, 11 people subsequently required hospital treatment for minor injuries and smoke inhalation.

The cause of the fire, which started on the starboard side of the ferry’s semi-open vehicle deck, has yet to be established. All 380 passengers and 40 crew members were evacuated by emergency responders from Merak Port in coordination with several local vessels. The ferry was also carrying 89 vehicles.

The extensively fire-damaged ferry has subsequently been reported to have sunk.

Just one day before the BATU MANDI fire, Indonesian media reported a fire aboard the 2019-built, 2,086 GT cargo-passenger vessel SABUK NUSANTARA 91. This vessel is also owned by the Indonesian state and is operated by Pelni. The fire, which caused no injuries and was quickly brought under control, was reportedly started by a cigarette butt.

In August this year, a fire broke out aboard the 14,896 GT Indonesian RoPax ferry MUTIARA SENTOSA II. Ten days later, the 1,478 GT PUTRI YASMIN also caught fire. Both incidents resulted in fatalities.

Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, the Philippines has also suffered a fatal ferry fire in recent months: the blaze aboard JUNE ASTER claimed at least 77 lives.

© Shippax