A passenger ferry carrying nearly 280 people erupted in flames off the coast of Talise Island in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on Sunday, leaving at least three people dead and many more rescued from the burning vessel.
The ill-fated ferry, identified as KM Barcelona VA, was en route to Manado Port when the fire broke out unexpectedly, sending thick black smoke soaring into the sky and causing chaos on board. Eyewitnesses reported that panicked passengers leapt into the sea to escape the rapidly spreading flames, as others were feared to be trapped within the vessel.
Veri Ariyanto, a senior official from the North Sulawesi Search and Rescue Office, confirmed that at least 150 passengers had been successfully rescued by a joint effort involving official responders and nearby local fishing boats. “Three people died and nearly 150 were rescued. The rescue was carried out by a combined team and local boats,” Ariyanto told Xinhua.
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The full extent of the casualties remains uncertain, as search efforts continue amid concerns that some passengers may still be unaccounted for. Footage and images shared from the scene show dramatic plumes of smoke engulfing the ferry’s upper decks, with emergency teams working urgently to bring the fire under control and locate survivors.
Authorities have since launched a full investigation into the cause of the fire, which has yet to be determined. The incident adds to a worrying list of maritime accidents in Indonesia, a country heavily reliant on sea transport to connect its many islands, but often criticized for inconsistent safety standards.
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