All 460 people aboard the Indonesian passenger ferry KMP Batumandi were safely evacuated after the vessel caught fire while approaching Merak Port in Cilegon, Banten, on Tuesday afternoon, operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry told the Antara news agency. The ferry was carrying 420 passengers, 40 crew members and 89 vehicles on the crossing from Bakauheni Port in Lampung.

The ferry left Bakauheni at about 2.52 p.m. local time, and at about 4.15 p.m. shore staff saw sparks at the stern, on the upper deck used to carry small vehicles, as the ship manoeuvred towards Pier VI near Merak Besar Island, ASDP Corporate Secretary Windy Andale told Antara. A separate initial report to the Merak vessel traffic service gave the engine room as the location of the fire, Baird Maritime reported — the cause has not yet been established.

Videos from the scene showed thick black smoke rising from the roll-on, roll-off vessel and passengers in life jackets leaving by boat and rope. The ferry Royce 1 reported taking all passengers and crew aboard, and ASDP recorded the evacuation as complete at 5.05 p.m., Baird Maritime reported. The Banten Search and Rescue Office said all 460 people were rescued, while 11 people required further medical treatment at Krakatau Medika Hospital in Cilegon.

Firefighting continued on Wednesday, October 21, with tugboats and patrol vessels spraying water onto the ship and crews cooling the vehicle deck, which held cars, motorcycles, buses and trucks, SAFETY4SEA reported. A small fire reignited on Wednesday morning before being extinguished, and at least eight vessels took part in the response, the report said.

Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) and police are investigating, SAFETY4SEA reported. ASDP said it would support the investigation and that passenger and crew safety was its top priority. No fatalities were reported.

Sources: Antara via Jawawa (ASDP and Banten Port Authority statements), October 20-21; SAFETY4SEA, October 21; Baird Maritime, October 21.