JAKARTA, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's transport minister on Wednesday ordered an investigation into a passenger ferry fire off Merak port in Banten province that left 11 people injured.
Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) had been instructed to investigate both technical and non-technical factors, while police would assist in determining the cause of the fire.
The ferry, KMP Batumandi, caught fire Tuesday about 700 meters from Pier 6 at Merak port, said Banten Police Chief Hendra Kurniawan.
The vessel was carrying 420 passengers, including 393 traveling in vehicles and 27 on foot, as well as 89 vehicles, Kurniawan said.
All passengers and crew were evacuated, with no fatalities reported, he added.
Merak is a major ferry gateway connecting Java and Sumatra islands across the Sunda Strait, one of Indonesia's busiest ferry routes. ■