12/08/2026
🔥 BREAKING NEWS: FERRY CATCHES FIRE IN THE LOMBOK STRAIT!
Ferry Putri Yasmin Catches Fire in Lombok Strait, One Dead and 172 Rescued
BALI, INDONESIA — August 12, 2026 — A passenger ferry traveling from Bali to Lombok caught fire early Wednesday morning, triggering a major rescue operation in the waters of the Lombok Strait.
The KMP Putri Yasmin, operating on the Padangbai–Lembar route, was en route from Padangbai Port in Bali to Lembar Port in West Lombok when the fire broke out at approximately 4:15–4:39 a.m. local time.
Nearby vessels, including KMP Port Link II, responded to the emergency and assisted in evacuating passengers from the burning ferry. Indonesian search-and-rescue teams, Navy vessels, patrol boats and a helicopter were also deployed to support the operation.
According to the latest reports, 172 people were rescued, while one Indonesian passenger was confirmed dead. The victim was reported to be a 19-year-old woman. At least two other people were reportedly taken to hospital for treatment.
The rescue operation was carried out under difficult conditions, with waves reportedly reaching around four metres, making the evacuation more challenging for passengers and emergency crews.
There is also a discrepancy between the official passenger manifest and the number of people ultimately rescued. Initial information indicated that the ferry's manifest listed 114 passengers and 17 crew members, while rescuers later accounted for 172 people. Authorities are expected to clarify the final passenger and crew numbers as the investigation continues.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and authorities have not yet released a definitive explanation regarding what triggered the blaze.
The incident comes less than a month after another Indonesian passenger ferry, KM Mutiara Sentosa 2, caught fire off the coast of Madura, an accident that resulted in five deaths. The latest incident is expected to raise further questions about passenger safety and ferry safety standards in Indonesia.
Authorities continue to verify the number of passengers involved and investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Our thoughts are with the victim's family, the passengers, crew members, and everyone involved in the rescue operation.
