Indonesian Ferry Catches Fire Near Lombok, Evacuation Underway

A passenger ferry carrying about 131 people caught fire in the waters off Lombok, Indonesia, on Wednesday morning, prompting a major rescue operation.

The KM Putri Yasmin, which was travelling from Padangbai Port in Bali to Lembar Port in West Nusa Tenggara, caught fire in the Lombok Strait at around 4:39 a.m. local time.

According to Indonesian authorities, the ferry was carrying 114 passengers and 17 crew members. More than 200 rescue personnel were deployed to evacuate those on board.

Officials said 33 passengers had been evacuated at the time of the report, while local broadcaster Kompas TV reported that all passengers were safe.

Authorities have not yet determined what caused the ferry to catch fire.

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