25 missing after Indonesian fishing boat catches fire

By Nicky Aulia Widadio

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AA) – At least 25 crew members aboard a fishing boat went missing as the boat burst into flames off the coast of Tanimbar Islands in Indonesia’s eastern province of Maluku, authorities said on Thursday.

National Disaster Management Agency's Search and Rescue Office said the incident occurred on Sept. 3, but the information regarding the fire was only received on Wednesday.

The squid fishing boat, KM Hentri, sailed from Muara Angke Port in the capital Jakarta to Merauke in Papua province with 32 crew members.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Mustari, the head of the Search and Rescue Office, said two people reportedly died after being trapped in the burning boat, while five others survived.

“The five survivors were rescued by local fishermen. We do not yet know the position of the two people who were reported to have died due to fire on the boat,” he said.

Based on provisional information compiled by the disaster agency, the boat was hit by high waves while sailing in Maluku waters, after which the fire started and burned the hull.

Mustari said a search for the missing victims is still ongoing, but was hampered by bad weather and high waves.

*Writing by Rhany Chairunissa Rufinaldo with Anadolu Agency’s Indonesian language services in Jakarta