World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Fire on KMP Batumandi near Merak; all 460 people evacuated
A fire broke out aboard the KMP Batumandi ferry near Merak port in Banten, Indonesia, on Tuesday afternoon.
The ferry was travelling from Bakauheni to Merak and was approaching the port when the fire was reported.
All 460 people on board were evacuated safely to another vessel, according to the Banten search and rescue office.
The group included 420 passengers and 40 crew members, and 11 people were taken for further medical care in Cilegon.
Early reports pointed to the rear of the ship or its engine room, but the cause of the fire has not been confirmed.
Eighteen vessels and support units took part in the response, and firefighting and evacuation operations were reported complete later that evening.
Police are investigating the cause, while rescue teams remain on standby to monitor the situation.
The KMP Batumandi caught fire near Merak port in Banten on October 20, 2026.
All 460 people aboard—420 passengers and 40 crew—were evacuated safely.
Eleven people received further medical treatment at Krakatau Medika Hospital in Cilegon.
The fire was reported while the ferry was approaching Merak after departing Bakauheni.
Authorities said the cause was still under investigation.
- Who
- The 420 passengers and 40 crew aboard the KMP Batumandi.
- What
- The ferry caught fire, and all 460 people aboard were evacuated safely.
- When
- October 20, 2026, in the afternoon.
- Where
- In the Sunda Strait near Merak port, Cilegon, Banten.
- Why
- The cause was not stated; authorities were investigating. A preliminary report said the fire may have started near the stern.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
KMP Batumandi departed Bakauheni port for Merak.
The fire was reported as the ferry approached the Merak crossing channel.
KMP Royce 1 reported that all passengers and crew had been evacuated onto its vessel.
TB Karya Pacific 2291 reported that the evacuation and firefighting were complete.
- Vessel
- KMP Batumandi
- People evacuated
- 460: 420 passengers and 40 crew
- Medical treatment
- 11 people; Krakatau Medika Hospital, Cilegon
- Departure
- Bakauheni port, 14:52 WIB
- Fire reported
- 16:15 WIB, near Merak
- Response
- 18 vessels and supporting units were deployed
9 sources
Tim SAR Evakuasi 460 Orang dari KMP Batumandi, 11 Orang Dibawa ke RS
8 Fakta Kapal Feri di Pelabuhan Merak Dilalap Api
Ungkap Kronologi, Bos ASDP Minta Maaf Insiden Kebakaran KMP Batumandi
KMP Batumandi Terbakar, Bos ASDP Sampaikan Permohonan Maaf
What people are saying
We are prioritizing the evacuation of passengers and handling the situation on the ground. The information earlier was that around 5 p.m. the passengers and crew had been evacuated.
The preliminary suspicion is that there was a spark from the stern area. But this is still being investigated, and we will also coordinate with Basarnas and the police to monitor the cause of the fire.
Based on information received from VTS Merak, at 16:56, KMP Royce 1 reported that all passengers and crew of KMP Batumandi had been evacuated onto that vessel. Thus, all passengers and crew were reported to have been evacuated safely.