Jakarta, Aug. 3 -- The Indonesian Navy deployed two warships and a maritime surveillance aircraft to rescue survivors and recover bodies after a passenger ferry caught fire in the Java Sea, naval officials said Monday.

The emergency deployment was ordered after the KM Mutiara Sentosa II caught fire on Sunday morning off Sumenep, East Java.

Vice Admiral Denih Hendrata, Commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command, said naval units responded immediately after receiving distress reports at approximately 10:00 a.m. local time.

Two warships operating in nearby waters-the KRI Nala-363 and KRI Bung Hatta-370-were redirected to the scene.

The KRI Nala-363 had just completed a joint passing exercise (PASSEX) with a Chinese People's Liberation Arm...