Ferry catches fire in W. Indonesia, leaving at least 3 dead, over 160 missing

JAKARTA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed and about 168 others went missing after a ferry caught fire in waters off the East Java province in western Indonesia on Friday evening, rescuers said Saturday.

Ferry Mutiara Sentosa caught fire in waters off the Masalembo of Sumenep district, spokesman of the national search and rescue agency Marsudi told Xinhua by phone.

A search and rescue operation for the missing is under way now, involving two helicopters, scores of ships and around 200 personnel.