On October 2, the 44.3 meter long, 646 gt ro-ro passenger ferry KMP Tadnemand (IMO: 9027386) caught fire while at anchor off the ferry terminal at Telaga Punggur, Batam Island, Indonesia. The fire started on the top deck near the wheelhouse and passenger rooms and quickly spread across the top deck. Dense smoke was spotted by nearby vessels which alerted authorities of the fire. Authorities dispatched the patrol vessel KN Kalimasadha and later the KNP 376, KN Rantos along with additional vessels to the provide assistance. The vessels were able to get the fire extinguished within 4 hours while all 17 crew on board the KMP Tadnemand were safely evacuated. No reports of injuries.
The result of the fire was the top two decks were gutted by the fire and the lower deck heavily damaged. There were no vehicles or passengers on board at the time of the incident.
The rescued crew had reported the fire may have started by an electrical fire caused by a short circuit on the bridge of the ferry. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
