At least five people have died and dozens more are missing after a ferry carrying hundreds of passengers caught fire off Indonesia, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation. The blaze broke out while the vessel was at sea, forcing passengers into the water and onto lifeboats as emergency services scrambled to reach the scene, underscoring persistent safety concerns around Indonesia's inter-island ferry network.

Rescue teams have recovered five bodies so far, while dozens of passengers remain unaccounted for as the search continues. Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the fire or the total number of people who were aboard, and the operation is ongoing as officials work to establish the full scale of casualties.