Five die in Indonesian ferry fire

Five people died after a ferry caught fire in the Java Sea in Indonesia, but a nearby ship has been able to rescue 187 people from the vessel.

Indonesian authorities say five people have died after a ferry caught fire in the Java Sea. (AAP)

Indonesian authorities say five people have died after a ferry caught fire in the Java Sea.

A Transport Ministry spokesman, Julius Adravida Barata, said on Saturday that 187 people have been rescued, but he didn't know if there were any more passengers or crew are missing.

Search and rescue agency advisories say the accident happened on Friday night, and a nearby ship went to the aid of the stricken ferry.