# Ferry Fire Near Indonesian Port Evacuates 460 Without Fatalities

> All passengers and crew aboard the KMP Batumandi were safely rescued after a fire broke out as the vessel approached Merak Port.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-23T15:08:28.017245Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/ferry-fire-near-indonesian-port-evacuates-460-without-fatalities-a9d7c86c

On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the KMP Batumandi ferry caught fire near Indonesia's Merak Port, leading to the successful evacuation of all 460 individuals on board without any fatalities [1][4][10].

This incident raises renewed concerns about maritime safety in Indonesia, a nation heavily reliant on ferry transport, following another recent ferry disaster that caused numerous deaths [10][12].

## What the records show
The KMP Batumandi, operated by state-owned PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry, caught fire as it approached Merak Port in Banten province on Tuesday afternoon [3][9]. The ferry had departed from Bakauheni Port in southern Sumatra, on a route across the Sunda Strait [4][6]. Shore staff at Merak Port observed sparks and fire at the stern of the vessel, specifically on the upper vehicle deck used for smaller vehicles, around 4:15 PM local time [4][5][6]. The fire quickly produced thick black smoke, leading to panic among passengers [9][13]. The vessel was carrying 420 passengers and 40 crew members, totaling 460 individuals [4][10]. All individuals were successfully evacuated, with no reported deaths [4][11]. Evacuation efforts involved port authorities, Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), police, tugboats, other ferries, and local vessels [4][8]. All passengers and crew were safely transferred to another ferry, KMP Royce 1 [9][15]. Following the evacuation, 11 people received medical treatment, with some taken to the Pulomerak community health center and others to Krakatau Medika Hospital [4][5][12].

## The timeline
The KMP Batumandi departed Bakauheni Port at approximately 2:52 PM local time on October 20, 2026 [5][6]. Around 4:15 PM, as the ferry neared Merak Port, shore personnel noticed sparks and flames emanating from the stern on the upper vehicle deck [4][5][6]. The incident occurred when the ship was approximately one nautical mile from Pier 6 at Merak Port [3]. An immediate evacuation was initiated, with all passengers and crew transferred to KMP Royce 1 [9][15]. The evacuation was completed within an hour of the fire being spotted [6]. By 6:30 PM local time, all individuals were safely disembarked at Merak Port [15]. Firefighting operations for the KMP Batumandi were ongoing into the following day [3][11].

## What changed and for whom
For the 460 individuals on board, the immediate change was a sudden and urgent evacuation from a burning vessel [9][10]. While all were saved, 11 required medical attention for injuries [4][12]. For maritime authorities in Indonesia, the incident adds to growing scrutiny of ferry safety. Just last month, a ferry capsized in the Java Sea, resulting in 80 confirmed deaths and 55 missing individuals [10][12][14]. This history of incidents has drawn criticism from officials, including Lasarus, the Chairman of Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives, who pointed to weak oversight and issues with vessel seaworthiness certifications [2].

## What the subject has said publicly
PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry, the operator of KMP Batumandi, confirmed the fire and the safe evacuation of all on board [1]. ASDP Corporate Secretary Windy Andale stated that the company would support the ongoing investigation by authorities [5]. ASDP President Director Heru Widodo also confirmed the safe evacuation and stated the company would await investigation results before providing further information [8]. The Banten Regional Police Public Relations Chief, Senior Superintendent Maruli Ahiles Hutapea, confirmed the completion of the evacuation and that injured passengers were receiving medical treatment [5]. Police also established a post at Pier VI of Merak Port to assist passengers who lost valuables [5].

## What we could not confirm
The exact cause of the fire on the KMP Batumandi could not be confirmed [3][5][8]. The National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) and police are investigating the incident [4].

## Evidence cited
1. (October 20 2026) Ferry Batumandi caught fire in the waters of Sunda Strait near Merak Port, Cilegon, Banten. All passengers and crew were evacuated. - Ground News (ground.news) — https://ground.news/
2. KMP Batumandi Catches Fire in Merak, Commission V Chair: Oversight is Weak (kompas.com) — https://www.kompas.com/
3. Fire Engulfs Ferry off Indonesia's Merak Port, All Passenger and Crew Evacuated (marinetraffic.com) — https://www.marinetraffic.com/blog/fire-engulfs-ferry-off-indonesias-merak-port-all-passenger-and-crew-evacuated/
4. Indonesian state ferry Batumandi catches fire off Merak; 460 evacuated (portnews.ru) — https://portnews.ru/news/359239/
5. Hundreds of KMP Batumandi Passengers Who Caught Fire in Merak Waters Have Been Evacuated and Treated (polri.go.id) — https://www.polri.go.id/ratusan-penumpang-kmp-batumandi-yang-terbakar-di-perairan-merak-telah-dievakuasi-dan-dirawat
6. Dramatic footage shows ferry engulfed in flames off Indonesia | Euronews (euronews.com) — https://www.euronews.com/video/2026/10/21/dramatic-footage-shows-ferry-engulfed-in-flames-off-indonesia
7. Merak Ferry Fire, Indonesia: KMP Batumandi Burns Near Port, 420 Evacuated, No Deaths; Cause Under Investigation (howtosurvive.in) — https://www.howtosurvive.in/merak-ferry-fire-indonesia-kmp-batumandi-burns-near-port/
8. KMP Batumandi Burns in Merak, the Cause is Unknown, All Passengers Evacuated (voi.id) — https://voi.id/en/news/614660/kmp-batumandi-burns-in-merak-the-cause-is-unknown-all-passengers-evacuated
9. Ferry Burns for Hours Near Merak After Passengers and Crew Escape - Jakarta Globe (jakartaglobe.id) — https://jakartaglobe.id/news/ferry-burns-for-hours-near-merak-after-passengers-and-crew-escape
10. 460 evacuated after ferry catches fire off Indonesia's Java (aa.com.tr) — https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/460-evacuated-after-ferry-catches-fire-off-indonesia-s-java/3026364
11. KMP Batumandi ferry catches fire in Indonesian waters (safety4sea.com) — https://safety4sea.com/kmp-batumandi-ferry-catches-fire-in-indonesian-waters/
12. Eleven hospitalised after fire engulfs Indonesian ferry carrying 460 people (thevibes.com) — https://www.thevibes.com/articles/world/76251/eleven-hospitalised-after-fire-engulfs-indonesian-ferry-carrying-460-people
13. 460 evacuated after ferry catches fire off Indonesia's Java (yenisafak.com) — https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/460-evacuated-after-ferry-catches-fire-off-indonesias-java-3773173
14. Maritime Executive (maritime-executive.com) — https://www.maritime-executive.com/
15. Kompas.id (kompas.id) — https://kompas.id/
16. Ferry Intel (ferryintel.com) — https://ferryintel.com/