inp.polri.go.id - Tangerang. The Banten Regional Police confirmed that the evacuation of passengers from the Batumandi Passenger Motor Ship (KMP) that caught fire in the waters of Merak Port, Banten, on Tuesday (10/20/2026) has been completed. The evacuated passengers were moved to a safe location, while the injured were taken to a health facility for medical treatment.
Banten Regional Police Public Relations Chief, Senior Superintendent Maruli Ahiles Hutapea, stated that the surviving passengers are currently being accommodated at Pier VI of Merak Port. PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry is also preparing transportation facilities to take the passengers to their respective destinations.
"The surviving passengers are currently being accommodated at Pier VI of Merak Port. PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry is committed to transporting the passengers to their destinations, particularly Greater Jakarta, using a fleet of overnight buses," Maruli said in a written statement on Wednesday (10/21/2026).
According to official manifest data, the KMP Batumandi sailed from Bakauheni Port to Merak Port carrying 420 passengers and 89 vehicles. Of these passengers, 393 were in vehicles, while 27 were pedestrians.
The fire reportedly broke out as the ship approached the Merak Port pier. According to the police, the incident occurred at around 4:35 PM, when the ship was approximately 700 meters from the pier.
The injured passengers were evacuated to the Pulomerak Community Health Center and Krakatau Medika Hospital (RSKM) for medical treatment.
In addition to assisting with the evacuation and providing care for victims, the police also established a police post on the second floor of Pier VI of Merak Port. This post is designed to assist those who lost valuables or important documents due to the incident.
Previously, a fire on the KMP Batumandi was reported to have occurred while the ship was approaching Pier VI at Merak Port, Cilegon, on Tuesday (10/20/2026).
ASDP Corporate Secretary, Windy Andale, stated that the ship departed from Bakauheni Port at around 2:52 PM. At around 4:15 PM, officers on land observed sparks at the stern of the ship, specifically on the upper deck used for transporting small vehicles.
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown. ASDP stated that it will support the investigation by the authorities and provide updates based on the results of field verification.
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