Smoke billows from passenger ship Mutiara Santosa 2 after it caught fire in the waters off Madura Island, Indonesia. (AP Photo)At least five people were killed and 41 remain missing after a passenger ferry caught fire off Indonesia’s Madura island on Sunday, authorities said, as rescue teams continued searching for survivors.According to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, the ferry was carrying 271 passengers and crew members while travelling from Surabaya in East Java to Makassar in South Sulawesi. By Sunday afternoon, 225 people had been rescued, while search and rescue operations were still underway.Visuals showed passengers scrambling towards the bow of the burning ferry as thick black smoke billowed into the sky.Passengers clamber to bow of BURNING ferry off Indonesia’s Madura IslandAt least 5 dead, 41 still missing — rescue efforts ongoing pic.twitter.com/kRb7CrE079— RTVisual (@RT_Visual_on_X) August 2, 2026Officials said the fire broke out on Sunday morning, though the cause of the blaze has not yet been determined. Madura island lies off the northeastern coast of Java.(With inputs from Reuters)The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramTags:Indonesia