Indonesian rescuers evacuated 172 people after a ferry caught fire in the Lombok Strait near Bali on Wednesday.
Rescuers also recovered the body of a 19-year-old passenger. At least two injured passengers were taken to a nearby hospital, authorities said.
The Putri Yasmin was traveling from Padang Bai port in Bali to Lembar port on Lombok when the fire broke out at about 4:15 a.m.
The Mataram Search and Rescue Office said the fire started in the Lombok Strait.
This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.
Rescuers battle rough seas
The Mataram Search and Rescue Office received the emergency report about 30 minutes after the fire began.
Rescue teams then deployed vessels and personnel to the area.
Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, known as Basarnas, said 172 people were evacuated from the ferry. Two Australian tourists were among those rescued.
Rescuers also recovered the body of a 19-year-old Indonesian woman.
The operation involved Indonesian navy ships, patrol boats and rescue vessels. A helicopter also surveyed the area from the air.
However, rough seas made the rescue more difficult. Waves reached about 4 meters (13 feet), according to officials.
More people were aboard than the manifest showed
Initial records listed 131 people aboard the ferry, including 17 crew members.
Officials later said the actual number of people aboard was higher than the passenger manifest.
The vessel was also carrying 44 vehicles and 53 motorcycles.
The discrepancy has raised questions about passenger accounting during the emergency.
Passenger numbers on Indonesian ferries can be difficult to verify because the country’s vast island network relies heavily on sea transport.
Ferry fire follows another deadly incident
The Putri Yasmin fire occurred less than two weeks after another Indonesian ferry fire.
The Mutiara Sentosa 2 caught fire off Java and killed at least five people.
The latest incident again puts attention on safety standards in Indonesia’s inter-island ferry network.
Authorities are continuing to account for everyone involved in the Putri Yasmin fire. They are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Associated Press, with operational information from Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and the Mataram Search and Rescue Office.
