Ferry Fire Emergency: Evacuations Underway After Vessel Carrying 131 Trapped Off Bali

BALI, Indonesia — A major emergency response is underway in the Lombok Strait after a passenger ferry carrying 131 people caught fire in the early morning hours on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 while en route from Bali to the neighboring island of Lombok.

The vessel, the KM Putri Yasmin, was traveling from Padang Bai Port in Bali to Lembar Port in West Nusa Tenggara province when flames broke out at approximately 4:15 a.m. local time.

Search and rescue teams—supported by the Indonesian Navy, local patrol boats, and nearby commercial ferries—immediately deployed to the scene after receiving emergency calls. Over 200 rescue personnel, along with a helicopter conducting aerial surveillance, were mobilized to safely evacuate those on board.

Rescue operations faced challenging maritime conditions, with officials reporting rough seas and waves reaching heights of up to 4 meters (13 feet). The ferry was carrying 114 passengers and 17 crew members, along with 44 automobiles and 53 motorcycles. Nearby vessels and navy ships quickly intercepted the burning ferry, executing a coordinated evacuation that safely transferred dozens of evacuees to ports in both Bali and Lombok.

Search and rescue officials later confirmed that visual inspections showed no remaining passengers on board, with no immediate casualties reported among the evacuees.

Muhammad Hariyadi, head of the Mataram Search and Rescue Office, emphasized that public safety remains the top priority as rescue boats continue transport and monitoring operations.

"Our top priority is the safety of all passengers and crew members... We have approached the ship and confirmed that all passengers are no longer on board," Hariyadi stated during rescue updates.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze as the vessel is secured. The incident highlights ongoing marine safety concerns across Indonesia's extensive island inter-link network, where passenger ferries serve as crucial daily transit routes.

Following the rescue effort, transport officials announced temporary adjustments to ferry schedules along the Bali–Lombok route to accommodate ongoing salvage operations and safety assessments. Local maritime authorities have also urged all inter-island operators to re-examine onboard fire suppression systems and emergency protocols as investigators work to determine the origin of the fire.