MANADO, Indonesia (AP) – A tragic incident occurred on Sunday when the KM Barcelona 5, a passenger ferry, caught fire at sea while sailing near Sulawesi island in Indonesia. The fire has resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals, as confirmed by officials. Despite the devastating circumstances, more than 280 passengers and crew members have been successfully rescued, with ongoing evacuation efforts still in place.
The KM Barcelona 5 was en route to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, from Talaud, an island district, when the fire broke out in waters close to Talise. Vice Adm. Denih Hendrata, the commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command, reported that three navy ships have been dispatched to aid in the rescue operations. So far, 284 individuals have been evacuated from the burning ferry. Local fishermen also played a vital role in the rescue, assisting survivors who were seen drifting to nearby islands while wearing life jackets in the turbulent waters.
Amid the chaos, rescuers have retrieved five bodies, which includes a pregnant woman. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of additional injuries, and the exact number of passengers and crew aboard the ferry at the time of the fire remains unclear. Vice Adm. Hendrata emphasized that the primary focus continues to be on the evacuation efforts, while an investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway.
Visuals provided by the National Search and Rescue Agency depict the distressing scene, with frightened passengers predominantly clad in life jackets, leaping into the sea as the vessel engulfed in orange flames belched black smoke into the sky. The images illustrate the terrifying reality faced by those aboard the ferry during the incident.
Indonesia, recognized as an archipelago comprising over 17,000 islands, commonly relies on ferries for transportation between its numerous islands. Unfortunately, maritime disasters are not uncommon in the region, frequently attributed to inadequate safety enforcement measures. In a separate incident earlier this month, a ferry sank near the popular resort island of Bali, resulting in at least 19 fatalities and 16 individuals reported missing. This tragic event drew a significant response, involving more than 1,000 rescuers, three navy ships, 15 boats, a helicopter, and divers over a two-week search operation.
Moreover, on July 14, residents of the Mentawai Islands discovered several individuals stranded after a speedboat carrying 18 passengers capsized during a storm. Thankfully, all those aboard were reported to be in good condition. These incidents underscore the ongoing risks associated with maritime travel in Indonesia.
