Surabaya. A ferry carrying around 250 passengers and crew caught fire off Madura Island, East Java, on Sunday morning, prompting a large-scale rescue operation involving several vessels.

The ferry, KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2, had departed Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya for Makassar when the ship's captain reported a fire several hours into the voyage.

Authorities said rescue teams were evacuating passengers, including some who jumped into the sea to escape the blaze. As of Sunday afternoon, there had been no official confirmation of casualties.

Nanang Sigit, head of the Surabaya Search and Rescue Office, said several nearby vessels had joined the rescue effort.

"TB Hasnur 26 and the British Mentor are assisting in evacuating passengers who jumped from KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2. Four vessels are now alongside the ferry," Nanang said.

He added that the search and rescue vessel SAR 249 Permadi was en route to the scene but faced an estimated travel time of about six hours.

According to Nanang, the ferry was located about 19 nautical miles from Buruan Sapudi Island, the nearest land.

The latest reports indicated that most of the vessel had been engulfed in flames, while passengers who remained aboard had gathered on the bridge and at the bow awaiting evacuation.

Videos circulating on social media appeared to show thick black smoke billowing from the upper decks as flames spread through the ferry. Passengers wearing life jackets could be seen gathered on one side of the vessel. Reuters could not immediately verify the authenticity of the footage.

The Surabaya Search and Rescue Office said it first received notification of the fire at 8:24 a.m. from the Tanjung Perak Harbormaster's Office.

According to information relayed by the ferry operator, the captain reported the fire between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. before communication with the vessel was lost.

Nanang said the first ship to reach the area, Meratus Project 3, was unable to approach the burning ferry because it was carrying flammable cargo.

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