Australians hurt in Bali ferry blast

Four Australians have been injured in an engine explosion and fire aboard a ferry travelling between the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok.

They were among 19 passengers injured on the fast ferry that was en route to Bali, the ABC reported early on Saturday.

Authorities told a contractor working for ABC News that 11 passengers received burns and eight suffered broken bones but the details of individual injuries were unclear.

Four female Australians were among those injured.

Authorities confirmed that they had been taken to hospital after the ferry's engine exploded about 30 minutes out to sea from Senggigi on Lombok.

There were 129 passengers on board at the time.

It is believed a fuel line burst and the boat's engine exploded, setting the vessel on fire.

Indonesian water police responded to a distress call for the Wahana Gili Ocean 4 vessel.