Indonesian police investigate ferry fire near Merak as 16 passengers receive medical treatment

Indonesian police and transport safety investigators are examining the cause of a fire aboard the KMP Batumandi ferry near Merak port in Banten province on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, after the vessel caught fire while approaching its berth across the Sunda Strait.

The fire broke out at about 4.15pm local time, when the ferry was preparing to dock at Terminal VI of Merak port, near Merak Besar Island and Merak Kecil Island.

PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry, the state-owned ferry operator, said the vessel had departed Bakauheni port in Lampung at about 2.52pm. Personnel on shore later spotted sparks at the stern, on the upper deck used to carry smaller vehicles.

The ferry was reported to have caught fire about 700 metres from Merak Executive Terminal. As smoke grew thicker, passengers put on life jackets and used the vessel's lifeboats while evacuation efforts got under way.

Fishing boats, tourist vessels, maritime police, the Indonesian Navy, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), private vessels and regional government-owned companies assisted in evacuating passengers and crew.

Police and transport investigators examine cause

National Police Chief Suyudi Ario Seto said the police's Water and Air Police Corps would assist the investigation to determine whether the fire resulted from technical or non-technical factors.

“We, the police, including the Water and Air Police Corps, will also take part in the investigation to help determine whether this was caused by technical factors or non-technical factors,” Suyudi said at police headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday.

He said investigators would examine whether the incident involved deliberate action.

“It cannot be ruled out that there may have been parties who deliberately attempted to do something wrong. But this requires further investigation, and we will continue working with the Ministry of Transportation,” he said.

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi also called for a thorough investigation by the police and asked the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) to examine both technical and non-technical aspects of the incident.

ASDP said the precise cause of the fire had not been established. The company said it would cooperate fully with the authorities, including the KNKT and Banten Regional Police, as investigators worked to establish what happened.

All passengers evacuated, 16 taken for treatment

Transport Minister Dudy said there had been no fatalities and that all passengers and crew had been evacuated.

ASDP chief executive Heru Widodo also said all 420 passengers had been evacuated safely, although some sustained injuries. 16 passengers were taken to Pulomerak Community Health Centre and Krakatau Medika Hospital for medical treatment.

The ferry had been carrying 420 passengers and 89 vehicles when it departed Bakauheni. The condition and extent of damage to the vehicles remained unclear in reports from the scene.

Images of the vessel showed fire damage to its hull and to the first and second decks, where vehicles were parked. Firefighters continued cooling operations after the blaze.

Heru apologised for the incident.

“We offer our deepest apologies for the fire involving the KMP Batumandi in Merak,” he said on Wednesday.

ASDP and Jasa Raharja begin documenting passenger losses

ASDP and state-owned insurer Jasa Raharja began collecting information about losses suffered by passengers to determine compensation.

“We are collecting the data and will, of course, provide compensation together with Jasa Raharja. The data collection process is still under way,” Heru told reporters in Merak on Tuesday evening.

Passengers whose information had been verified were allowed to return home. ASDP also arranged transport to take passengers to their residences.

For those who still needed to complete verification or wished to stay overnight, the company said accommodation and other facilities had been prepared.

Heru said the company would continue coordinating with the relevant authorities and support the investigation into the cause of the fire. ASDP also said it would provide further information as details were verified.