At least three people have been confirmed dead after a ferry carrying more than 280 passengers was engulfed in flames off the coast of Indonesia.
The KM Barcelona VA, which was travelling toward the city of Manado from the Talaud Islands, caught fire at sea, triggering a mass panic and desperate efforts to escape. Within minutes, thick smoke and flames overtook the vessel.
Videos captured by passengers and witnesses show chaotic scenes as people hurled themselves into the water—some wearing life jackets, others not—attempting to escape the fast-moving blaze. One clip, filmed by a woman who had managed to swim about 10 to 15 metres away from the burning ship, showed dozens of passengers thrashing in the water as they tried to distance themselves from the inferno.
Several passing fishing boats from Talise Island were among the first to assist in the rescue, helping survivors from the water and ferrying them to safety.
Abdul Rahman, a passenger who documented the crisis on video, described the terrifying moments. “Almost everyone panicked. The smoke was thick from the back of the boat. Then the fishermen started to transport children to their boats first,” he said.
Local media initially reported one death, but authorities have now confirmed that at least three individuals lost their lives in the incident. Nearly 150 passengers have so far been rescued, while search and recovery operations remain ongoing.
Indonesia’s Manado Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP) confirmed that three other vessels—KM Barcelona III, KM Venecian, and KM Cantika Lestari 9F—have been deployed to the site to support rescue efforts.
The ferry caught fire around 1.30pm local time while en route to Manado, a major city in North Sulawesi. The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation.
Authorities have not released the identities of those who died, and it is not yet clear whether they succumbed to fire-related injuries or drowned during the evacuation.
This tragic incident underscores ongoing concerns about maritime safety in Indonesia, a country made up of thousands of islands and heavily reliant on sea transport.
Emergency services continue to search the surrounding waters, hoping to locate additional survivors or account for any remaining missing passengers.
Further updates are expected as the rescue and investigation continue.
Editing by M10News World Desk | Contact: info@m10news.com
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