JAKARTA, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- A vessel carrying about 250 people caught fire in the Java Sea off Indonesia's East Java province on Sunday, the Surabaya Search and Rescue Office said.
The vessel departed from Surabaya, East Java, for Makassar on Sulawesi Island on Sunday morning, according to the office.
"The vessel was about 19 nautical miles (35.2 km) north of Sapudi Island and was almost completely engulfed in flames, while passengers remained on the bridge and at the bow," the office said in a statement.
Several nearby vessels rescued dozens of passengers who had jumped into the sea to escape the blaze.
Authorities deployed rescue vessels, personnel and several rigid inflatable boats to the scene. The search and rescue operation is now underway.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. ■
