Jakarta, Aug. 3 -- Indonesia's Transportation Ministry deployed coast guard patrol vessels and coordinated with search and rescue authorities after a ferry caught fire in the Java Sea, killing five people and prompting the evacuation of 232 passengers and crew.

Director General of Sea Transportation Muhammad Masyhud said on Sunday that the government's immediate priority was ensuring the safe and swift evacuation of everyone aboard the KM Mutiara Sentosa II.

"Our main focus is ensuring the evacuation of all passengers and crew is carried out quickly, safely, and as effectively as possible," Masyhud said.

According to preliminary reports, the fire broke out between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. local time in waters north of Sumenep, East Java...