"All of the ships are mobilized to evacuate passengers," Thomas Chandra of the Merak port management said on Friday.
He said the ill-gated ferry ship, "KMP Laut Teduh II", was believed to carry thousands of passengers. It left Merak port of Banten (Java) at 3.10 am to Bakauheni port of Lampung (Sumatra) on Friday when it caught fire about two miles away from Merak.
He said that he had received reports that three passengers were killed and five others were in critical condition as a result of burns.
A number of ambulances were prepared at Merak port waiting for the victims.
He said victims who died or suffering from burn injuries would be taken to Krakatau Medical Hospital in Cilegon.
In the meantime, Endin Juhaendi, operation manager of PT ASDP Inland Waterway Transportation Service for Merak, said that the victims who were evacuated were taken to the Krakatau Medika hospital in Cilegon, Merak Health-care center, Banten port`s Health office and the Mutiara Bunda clinic center.
"All passengers who are evacuated directly received medical treatment," he said.
He said that Krakatau Medika Cilegon was now providing medical treatment for five victims. They are in critical condition.
He said that his side had received report that three passengers were killed in the accident.
KMP Laut Teduh II which was serving passengers between Merak port of Banten (Java) and Bakauheni port of Lampung (Sumatra) caught fire during its way from Merak to Bakauheni at 3.59 am on Friday.
The fire took place about three miles from Merak port, near the Ular island.
"We are still evacuating passengers from the ferry ship," Head of Merak`s Inland Waterway Transportation Service (ASDP) Tohar Napitupul said.
There was no immediate report on causes of the fire.
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Editor: Bambang
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