At least five people were killed and 41 remain missing after a passenger ferry caught fire off Indonesia’s Madura Island on Sunday, prompting a massive search and rescue operation, authorities said.

According to Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, the ferry was carrying 271 passengers and crew when the fire broke out during its voyage from Surabaya in East Java to Makassar in South Sulawesi. Rescue teams, along with nearby vessels, were immediately deployed to evacuate passengers and search for those still unaccounted for.

225 People Rescued, Search Operation Continues

Officials said 225 people have been rescued, while efforts are continuing to locate the remaining 41 missing passengers. Multiple rescue boats and emergency personnel have been deployed as authorities continue to search the waters off Madura Island.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the victims, and the casualty toll may change as rescue operations continue.

Cause of Fire Under Investigation

The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined. Investigators are examining the circumstances that led to the fire while search and rescue teams remain focused on locating the missing passengers.

Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferry transport for inter-island travel. However, maritime accidents remain relatively common due to factors such as overcrowding, changing weather conditions and safety lapses.