A blaze on an Indonesian passenger ferry leaves at least 5 dead and dozens missing

SURABAYA, Indonesia (AP) — An Indonesian ferry carrying 271 people caught fire in waters off the main island of Java on Sunday, leaving at least five people dead and dozens missing as rescuers and passing vessels evacuated hundreds from the burning ship, officials said.

The Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry was traveling from Indonesia's second-largest city of Surabaya in East Java to the city of Makassar in South Sulawesi, with 232 passengers, 39 crew members and 181 vehicles, mostly trucks, and an excavator, when the fire broke out between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. in waters off Sumenep regency, according to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, or Basarnas.

The ferry operator, PT Atosim Lampung Pelayaran, reported the incident to the Surabaya search and rescue office about an hour later, Basarnas said in a statement. It said the company received information from the ferry's captain that the vessel was on fire near the northern tip of Madura island, but contact was later lost.

By 9:45 a.m., authorities determined the ferry was about 19 nautical miles north of Buruan Sapudi island after communicating with the nearby cargo vessel Meratus Project 3, which was unable to approach the burning vessel closely because it was carrying a flammable load.

Footage released by the National Search and Rescue Agency showed thick black smoke billowing from one side of the ferry and spreading across much of the ship while videos circulating on social media and messaging groups showed terrified passengers, mostly wearing life jackets, could be seen clustered on the deck and upper sections of the vessel awaiting rescue, some jumping into the sea as orange flames and black smoke billowed from the burning vessel.

The ferry was reported to be nearly engulfed by flames, with passengers gathered on the bridge and bow. A tugboat and another passing vessel moved in and began evacuating passengers shortly before 10 a.m., the statement said.

By Sunday evening, several nearby vessels managed to rescue 227 passengers and crew and recovered five bodies. At least 39 people remained unaccounted for.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known and remained under investigation.

Ahmad Abdul Karim, one of the survivors, said the fire appeared to have started from a truck on the lower vehicle deck.

“Someone came up from the lower deck and told us there was a fire. When we went down to check, two vehicles were already burning," Karim said, "Fanned by the wind, the flames spread extremely quickly. In less than 30 minutes, everyone had been instructed to move to the bow of the ferry.”

Search and rescue teams dispatched a rescue vessel from Surabaya, although officials estimated it would take about six hours to reach the scene. A rigid inflatable boat from the Sumenep rescue post was sent toward the location but later returned to shore because of rough seas and high waves. The Indonesian Navy also deployed a warship to assist.

The 160 meters (525 feet) long and 25 meters (82 feet) wide ferry was built in Japan in 1992 and operated on the Osaka-Shinmoji route as the “Ferry Osaka” before being sold to Indonesia in 2015. It serves the Surabaya-Makassar route, a voyage that typically takes around 40 hours and is primarily used by domestic travelers and cargo transport between Java and Sulawesi.

Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands where ferries are a common method of travel. Disasters occur regularly, with weak safety enforcement often blamed.

Karmini reported from Jakarta. Associated Press writer Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.

A member of Indonesia's rescue agency points a map showing the location where passenger ferry Mutiara Sentosa 2 caught fire off Madura Island, at the rescue operation's command center in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (AP photo/Trisnadi)

Smoke billows from passenger ship Mutiara Santosa 2 after it caught fire in the waters off Madura Island, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (AP Photo)

Survivors of a ferry fire arrive at Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Trisnadi)

A survivor of a ferry fire receives medical attention at Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Trisnadi)

Rescuers carry the body of a victim of a ferry fire upon arrival at Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Trisnadi)

Rescuers assist a survivors of a ferry fire upon arrival at Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Trisnadi)

Survivors of a ferry fire arrive at Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Trisnadi)

In this photo made from video released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, smoke billows from passenger ship Mutiara Santosa 2 after it caught fire in the waters off Madura Island, Indonesia. (BASARNAS via AP)

In this photo made from video released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, smoke billows from passenger ship Mutiara Santosa 2 after it caught fire in the waters off Madura Island, Indonesia. (BASARNAS via AP)

PLYMOUTH, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 13, 2026--

Blue Horizon Energy, a Minnesota-based clean energy development and construction firm, has been recognized by the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA) for its work on the 2026 Solar Project of the Year: the University of Minnesota's CAP Solar Projects 2026. The award was presented September 30 at MnSEIA's annual Gateway to Solar Conference in Minneapolis, recognizing the project as a significant contribution to Minnesota's growing solar industry.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261113061181/en/

The University of Minnesota's Climate Action Plan (CAP) solar expansion will add over 4 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity across eight locations on the Twin Cities campus, including five rooftops and three surface parking areas. Once complete, the installations will nearly triple the University's existing on-campus solar capacity, increasing it from approximately 2 MW to more than 6 MW.

The project advances the University's 2023 Climate Action Plan, which establishes a goal of reaching 6 MW of on-campus solar capacity by 2033. Construction began in June 2026, with completion expected in 2027.

Blue Horizon Energy is the lead solar photovoltaic contractor on the projects, supporting a broader construction partnership. The project is led by the University's Energy Management and Capital Project Management teams and represents a coordinated effort to expand renewable energy infrastructure across a complex, active university campus.

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This recognition underscores the importance of strong construction partnerships in advancing large-scale renewable energy projects. For Blue Horizon Energy, it reflects the company's continued commitment to delivering technically sound, high-quality solar projects for businesses, institutions and communities across the United States. This is Blue Horizon Energy’s second year winning MnSEIA’s Project of the Year award.

“Blue Horizon Energy is a leader in our industry,” said Cynthia Bennett, Interim Executive Director of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA). “We’re grateful for their team’s work on these projects, showing what’s possible when the solar industry and leading institutions work together to build a more sustainable future in Minnesota.”

About Blue Horizon Energy

Blue Horizon Energy is a Minnesota-based clean energy development and construction firm delivering solar energy, battery storage, and related electrical infrastructure for businesses, utilities and communities. From project development to construction and operations, Blue Horizon Energy brings the expertise and accountability needed to deliver high-quality energy projects. Learn more at bluehorizonenergy.com.

Photo credit: MnSEIA, Mike Madison

Blue Horizon Energy CEO, Griffin Dooling, accepting the Project of the Year award at MnSEIA's Gateway to Solar conference.