5 dead after Indonesian ferry catches fire in Java Sea

Associated Press
n this aerial photo released by Indonesian Search And Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), thick smoke billows from passenger ferry Mutiara Sentosa 1 which caught fire in Java Sea Saturday, May 20, 2017. The ferry caught fire Friday evening leaving a number of people dead and hundreds others rescued, Indonesian authorities said Saturday. ( AP)

JAKARTA: A ferry caught fire in the Java Sea, leaving five people dead and nearly 190 others rescued, Indonesian authorities said Saturday.
A Transport Ministry spokesman, Julius Adravida Barata, said he didn’t know if any passengers or crew are still missing.
Search and rescue agency adviseries said that the accident happened on Friday night about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from Masalembo Island. A nearby ship went to the aid of the stricken ferry, which was also carrying many cars and trucks.
The search and rescue agency said two helicopters and a number of ships are still searching the area.