A ferry travelling between Merak in Banten, Java and Bakauheni in Lampung, Sumatra, caught fire 0359 on Friday, about five kilometres from Merak Port, near Ular Island.
A total of 12 ships, five tugs and seven Ro-Ro ferries, were mobilised to help evacuate passengers from 'KMP Laut Teduh II' in the Sunda Strait early on Friday. A total of 427 passengers were rescued, with nine reported dead as of Saturday. A number of other passengers suffered severe burns and were taken to Krakatau Medical Hospital in Cilegon.
Officials said the death toll might continue to rise, as search and rescue efforts continued.
