The Ministry of Transportation has deployed a patrol ship, the evacuation of passengers on the KM Mutiara Sentosa II in the Java Sea is still ongoing.

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation through the Directorate General of Maritime Affairs is still handling the fire incident of KM Mutiara Sentosa II which occurred in the waters of the Java Sea, Sunday, August 2. The main focus at this time is to evacuate all passengers and crew who are still around the scene.

Based on the interim report, the fire is suspected to have occurred around 06.00-07.00 WIB in the North Waters of Sumenep. Information about the incident was received around 08.30 WIB and was immediately followed up with coordination with Basarnas and other related elements.

The Directorate General of Maritime Affairs through the Kalianget SROP broadcast information about the ship accident and activated the coordination of search and rescue operations. At the time of the incident, the weather conditions were reported to be cloudy.

The Ministry of Transportation also deployed the patrol ship KN Grantin P.211 belonging to the Sea and Coast Guard Unit (KPLP) to the location of the incident. Meanwhile, the Navigation District prepared the State Ship KN Masalembo to support the handling operations in the field.

One of the first ships to find the position of KM Mutiara Sentosa II was Meratus Project 3. However, the ship could not immediately carry out an evacuation because it was carrying dangerous cargo.

The rescue process was then carried out by involving a number of ships around the location, including TB Hasnur 26, KM Prakarsa Mas, KM Meratus Pematang Siantar, and KM Transco Arafura.

Director General of Maritime Affairs Muhammad Masyhud said the safety of passengers and crew was the main priority in handling this incident.

"Passenger and crew safety is the top priority. We continue to coordinate with all parties concerned to ensure that the evacuation process can run quickly, safely, and effectively," said Masyhud, Sunday, August 2.

The interim report said passengers were still waiting for evacuation by ships around the location. The government also set up a post to support the coordination of rescue operations.

According to Masyhud, the evacuation process is still ongoing and the cause of the fire has not been determined because it is still in the investigation stage.

"We will continue to convey the development of handling this incident periodically after all the information received from the field has been verified, so that the information conveyed to the public is accurate and can be accounted for," he concluded.