JAKARTA INDONESIA (ISL News) - The Ministry of Transportation, through the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, continues to coordinate intensively in handling the fire incident involving the KM Mutiara Sentosa II in the Java Sea on Sunday (August 2nd). The primary focus now is ensuring the swift, safe, and optimal evacuation of all passengers and crew.
Based on field reports, the fire is estimated to have occurred between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB) in the waters north of Sumenep. Information about the incident was received at 8:30 a.m. WIB and immediately followed up with coordination with all relevant parties to conduct search and rescue operations.
In initial response efforts, the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, through the Kalianget SROP, broadcast the shipwreck and then coordinated with Basarnas. For information, the weather at the time of the incident was clear and cloudy.
At the same time, the Directorate General of Sea Transportation through the Sea and Coast Guard Unit (KPLP) deployed the patrol ship KN Grantin P.211 to the location of the incident, while the Navigation District prepared the State Ship (KN) Masalembo to support handling operations as needed in the field.
One of the first ships to locate the KM Mutiara Sentosa II was the Meratus Project 3. However, because the ship was carrying dangerous cargo, the evacuation process could not be carried out immediately.
To optimize rescue efforts, further evacuations were conducted involving other vessels in the vicinity. As of the preliminary report's preparation, the rescue efforts included the TB. Hasnur 26, KM. Prakarsa Mas, KM. Meratus Pematang Siantar, and KM. Transco Arafura.
The Director General of Sea Transportation, Muhammad Masyhud, stated that the Directorate General of Sea Transportation continues to coordinate with all relevant parties to ensure the rescue process runs smoothly.
"The safety of passengers and crew is our top priority. We continue to coordinate with all relevant parties to ensure the evacuation process is swift, safe, and effective," said Masyhud.
According to preliminary reports from the field, passengers are awaiting evacuation by ships located near the scene. The Directorate General of Sea Transportation, along with all relevant parties, has also prepared response measures, including establishing a command post to support the coordination of rescue operations.
Director General Masyhud added that the evacuation and handling process is still ongoing, while the cause of the fire is still under investigation. The Directorate General of Sea Transportation continues to monitor developments on the ground and will provide further information once all data has been verified.
"We will continue to provide regular updates on the handling of this incident after all information received from the field has been verified, so that the information provided to the public is accurate and accountable," he concluded.
(ISL News Editorial Team/Sea Transportation Public Relations).
