Ferry catches fire between Indonesia’s Bali, Lombok islands VIDEO

A ferry carrying 131 people caught fire early on August 12 while sailing from Indonesia’s Bali island to neighbouring Lombok, with rescuers and passing vessels saving 106 people, according to local authorities.

"Our top priority is the safety of all passengers and crew members," said Muhammad Hariyadi, who heads the Mataram Search and Rescue Office, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

The fire broke out at around 4 a.m., local time, Hariyadi said. The vessel was carrying 114 passengers and 17 crew members, as well as 44 cars and 53 motorcycles.

Rescuers and nearby vessels managed to evacuate 106 people, while another 25 remained aboard the burning ferry, according to authorities. Some passengers reportedly jumped into the water to escape the flames.

Rescue operations were hampered by rough seas, with waves reaching up to four metres. The distress signal was received about 30 minutes after the fire started, prompting the search and rescue agency to deploy personnel and rescue vessels to the scene.

By Sabina Mammadli