The Ro-Ro passenger ferry KMP Batumandi (IMO 9759733) caught fire on October 20, 2026, in the Sunda Strait near the port of Merak in Indonesia’s Banten Province.
The vessel was operating a voyage from Bakauheni to Merak and was approaching Pier VI at Merak when sparks were reportedly seen near the stern at around 16:15 local time.
According to operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry, the sparks were observed in the area of the upper vehicle deck used for smaller vehicles.
A fire subsequently broke out and quickly spread across the vessel.
There were 420 passengers and 89 vehicles on board.
According to the official manifest, 393 passengers were travelling inside vehicles, while another 27 were travelling without vehicles.
A major rescue operation was launched involving port authorities, Basarnas, police and several nearby vessels.
One of the first ships to reach the burning ferry was the Ro-Ro passenger ferry KMP Royce 1.
At 16:56, KMP Royce 1 informed Vessel Traffic Service Merak that all passengers and crew members from KMP Batumandi had been evacuated.
No fatalities were reported.
However, 16 passengers were injured and taken to medical facilities. Reported injuries included breathing difficulties, fractures, dizziness and minor burns.
A total of 21 people received medical assistance, although some declined hospital treatment and were treated at the scene.
After the evacuation was completed, rescue and port vessels continued firefighting operations around KMP Batumandi.
The response involved the tugs Gunung Cipala, Avatar Harbour, Teluk Jakarta, Tirtayasa V, Gunung Batur and Gunung Santri, along with KNP 333, KMP Royce 1, KMP Munic 3, KMP SMS Mulawarman and customs patrol vessel BC 9006.
The fire caused extensive damage to the ferry.
During the prolonged firefighting effort, a large amount of water entered the vessel, gradually reducing its stability.
On the evening of October 21 at around 20:54, the stern began to sink deeper into the water before KMP Batumandi developed a heavy list to port, capsized and sank in the approach channel to the port of Merak.
Vessel Traffic Service issued a navigational warning to ships in the area, while the location of the sunken ferry was marked with a special buoy.
Operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry said it was working with the authorities to prepare a salvage operation to recover the vessel.
KMP Batumandi is approximately 109 metres long and has a deadweight of about 2,426 tonnes. The Indonesian-flagged ferry operated regular services across the Sunda Strait.
Indonesian authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
At this stage, the exact cause of the fire has not been officially established.
Although the first signs of the fire were reported on the vehicle deck, authorities have not confirmed whether a vehicle was the source of the blaze or whether any vehicle involved was petrol-powered, diesel-powered or electric.
The most important outcome of the emergency response was that all passengers and crew were able to leave KMP Batumandi before the fire fully engulfed the vessel and it later capsized and sank.
