Five killed in Indonesia ferry fire

At least five persons were killed and more than 137 rescued after a ferry caught fire in the waters off the East Java province in Indonesia, officials said on Saturday.

Head of Search and Rescue Office of the East Java province Muhammad Arifin said the people were rescued by a ship of the rescue office and a passenger ship Kartika, Xinhua news agency reported

"We are transporting the rescued people to sea port," Arifin said.

Ferry Mutiara Sentosa with about 178 people on board caught fire in waters off Sumenep district on Friday evening.

A search and rescue operation for the missing is still going on, involving two helicopters, scores of ships and around 200 personnel.

--IANS

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