National

KMP Batu Mandi Ferry Catches Fire in Merak, 89 Passengers Evacuated

Stateline MEDIA Newsroom•October 20, 2026•2 min read

The KMP Batu Mandi passenger ferry, operated by PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry, caught fire in the waters near Merak Besar Island, Cilegon, on Tuesday (20/10/2026) afternoon while maneuvering to dock at Merak Port's Pier VI. Flames were spotted around 4:15 p.m. local time at the vessel's stern. All 89 foot passengers and crew were successfully evacuated; no casualties were reported in initial information. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Key Facts

What: The KMP Batu Mandi ferry caught fire in the waters near Merak Besar Island, Cilegon, Banten, on Tuesday afternoon (20/10/2026) while maneuvering to dock at Merak Port's Pier VI.
Who: PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) as operator; 89 foot passengers and crew evacuated; joint response from port authorities, Basarnas (national search and rescue), and police; ASDP Corporate Secretary Windy Andale; Banten Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Maruli Ahiles Hutapea.
When: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 — departed Bakauheni Port around 2:52 p.m. local time; flames spotted around 4:15 p.m.
Where: Waters near Merak Besar Island / behind Kecil Merak Island, Mekarsari, Pulomerak, Cilegon, Banten — while approaching Merak Port's Pier VI.
Why: Fire broke out at the stern, on the upper deck used for small vehicles; the exact cause is still under investigation.
How: Shore officers spotted sparks and a joint team was deployed; all passengers and crew evacuated; no casualties in initial reports; vehicle count (estimated dozens) and vehicle-borne passengers still being verified; firefighting still underway.

Fire broke out as the ferry approached the dock

CILEGON — The KMP Batu Mandi passenger ferry caught fire in the waters near Merak Besar Island, Cilegon, Banten, on Tuesday (20/10/2026) afternoon. The vessel, operated by PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero), was engulfed while maneuvering to dock at Merak Port's Pier VI.

In an official statement, ASDP said the KMP Batu Mandi departed Bakauheni Port, Lampung, at around 2:52 p.m. local time. At around 4:15 p.m., shore officers spotted sparks at the vessel's stern — on the upper deck used to transport small vehicles.

All passengers and crew evacuated safely

A total of 89 foot passengers were recorded on board. All passengers and crew were successfully evacuated. According to initial information, there were no casualties.

Meanwhile, the number of vehicles on board is estimated at dozens. However, the exact count of vehicles, vehicle crews, and their passengers is still being verified by officers.

Cause still under investigation

A joint team of port authority officers, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), and police was deployed to the scene. Firefighting efforts were still underway at the time of publication.

ASDP Corporate Secretary Windy Andale stressed that passenger and crew safety is the company's top priority and that ASDP supports the authorities' investigation. Banten Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Maruli Ahiles Hutapea said casualty figures and the cause of the fire are still being recorded and investigated, urging the public to await official information.