BALINEWSID.COM, WEST LOMBOK – A joint search and rescue (SAR) team launched an emergency evacuation operation after the KMP Putri Yasmin ferry caught fire in the waters off Sekotong in the Lombok Strait on Wednesday morning, August 12, 2026.

The ferry was reportedly sailing from Padang Bai Port in Bali to Lembar Port in Lombok when the incident occurred at around 4:15 a.m. Central Indonesia Time (WITA).

The Mataram Search and Rescue Office received the emergency report at approximately 4:39 a.m. and immediately deployed personnel and rescue vessels to the location.

Mataram SAR Office Chief Muhamad Hariyadi said the primary focus of the operation was to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew members aboard the ferry.

“We have deployed KN 220 Mataram, a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB), and a Rigid Buoyancy Boat (RBB) to the scene to conduct the evacuation and coordinate with vessels operating near the incident area,” Hariyadi said.

The Mataram SAR Office also coordinated with the Denpasar SAR Office, which deployed the KN SAR Arjuna to assist with the evacuation operation.

An aerial monitoring operation was also carried out with a helicopter from SGi Air Bali to provide wider surveillance of the area and support the rescue teams on the water.

The joint operation involves multiple agencies and organizations, including the Mataram SAR Office, Denpasar SAR Office, KMP PortLink II, KAL Lembar, the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), West Lombok Police, West Lombok Water and Air Police, Lembar Port Authority, yacht operators, SGi Air Bali, local residents and other relevant agencies.

As of Wednesday morning, the joint SAR team remained at the scene and continued efforts to evacuate passengers and crew members from the ferry.

Authorities have yet to release further details regarding the cause of the fire or the overall condition of the passengers and crew. Rescue personnel are continuing to prioritize the evacuation and safety of everyone involved.