A passenger ferry catches fire off Indonesia’s Madura island, with authorities reporting at least five deaths and 41 people missing. Multiple outlets, citing search and rescue officials, say the incident occurs while the vessel is at sea and triggers a major rescue operation. Survivors are reportedly assisted and people are searched for in the water and surrounding area as responders work to account for those onboard.
Reports describe the fire as significant, but the cause remains unclear. BBC Sport and other outlets say the ferry carries about 271 people, while some reports refer to lower figures (around 250) for the number of passengers onboard; all accounts agree on the overall scale of the vessel and the casualty figures of five dead and 41 missing. Officials continue searching for missing passengers and crew, and additional information is not yet confirmed publicly. The incident is being investigated, but no definitive cause is provided in the reports.
