A devastating fire broke out on an Indonesian ferry carrying hundreds of passengers, forcing panicked travelers to leap into the sea to escape the blaze. The tragic incident claimed at least five lives, including that of a pregnant woman.
The disaster occurred on Sunday as the KM Barcelona 5 was sailing near Talise, en route from Talaud Island to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province.
Vice Admiral Denih Hendrata, commander of the Indonesian Fleet, confirmed that over 280 people have been rescued so far, with rescue and evacuation efforts ongoing. Three navy ships were dispatched to the scene, successfully evacuating a total of 284 passengers and crew members to safety.
Tragically, among the victims was a pregnant woman who was being transported from Talaud to Manado, confirmed Nuriadin Gumeleng, public relations officer for the Manado SAR Office.
“Currently, only one person has been positively identified as deceased—a pregnant woman. Her body has been recovered onshore,” Gumeleng told local news outlet Harian Jogja.
Local fishermen played a crucial role in the rescue, pulling survivors from the rough seas as they floated toward nearby islands wearing life jackets.
The exact number of passengers and crew aboard remains uncertain, and early reports did not indicate additional injuries.
Dramatic footage captures towering plumes of gray smoke rising above the wreckage, while the entire vessel is engulfed in roaring orange flames.
Video recordings show terrified passengers clad in bright orange life vests clinging to the side of the burning ship before being forced into the water. One woman is seen sobbing uncontrollably as chaos unfolds.
After fleeing the boat, the camera reveals hundreds of people already struggling in the sea.
In another heart-wrenching clip, a man can be seen rescuing a toddler from the water. Holding the coughing child close, he records the burning debris from a distance while sharing his harrowing experience.
In a chilling Facebook livestream, passenger Abdul Rahmad Agu desperately cried out, “We are burning at sea… we need help… fast…”
Emergency teams are racing against time to ensure the safety of all passengers as the rescue mission continues.
Three rescue vessels—the KM Barcelona III, KM Venecian, and KM Cantika Lestari 9F—were dispatched to the scene, according to a Manado KSOP officer.
The ill-fated boat was reportedly headed to dock at Manado Port when disaster struck, local outlet IDN Times reported.
Authorities are working to provide official updates, urging the families of those aboard to stay calm amid the unfolding crisis.
A tourist boat carrying 53 passengers tragically sank in Vietnam just days ago, resulting in the deaths of at least 38 people.
The vessel, named Wonder Sea, was struck by powerful winds while navigating the scenic waters of Halong Bay. Rescue teams managed to save 11 survivors and have recovered 37 bodies so far, with five individuals still unaccounted for, according to Vn Express.