In brief
The vessel, leaving Surabaya and bound for Makassar, suffered a fire while at sea. Authorities report five deaths and 41 missing people. Rescue crews are on the scene amid footage of passengers wearing life jackets.
Five people have been found dead and 41 are missing after an Indonesian ferry carrying 271 people caught fire while at sea, officials say.
Off the coast of Madura island, the vessel, which departed from Surabaya in East Java, was en route to Makassar in South Sulawesi when the fire was reported by the captain. The National Search and Rescue Agency, Basarnas, confirmed the incident.
Local footage shows numerous passengers in life jackets aboard a lifeboat, while other clips capture people climbing down from the burning ferry. The smoke plume up the ship’s mast is visible in the video.
Authorities are conducting a search and rescue operation. Updates will flow as more details emerge. Viewers can receive real‑time alerts via the BBC News App or follow @BBCBreaking on X.
