Deadly Ferry Fire Off Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island Leaves Five Dead, Hundreds Rescued

 

A passenger ferry carrying hundreds of people caught fire at sea on Sunday near Sulawesi island in Indonesia, killing at least five individuals, including a pregnant woman, according to local authorities. Over 280 people have been rescued so far, and evacuation efforts continue.

The vessel, KM Barcelona 5, was en route from the island district of Talaud to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, when the fire broke out in the waters off Talise. Vice Admiral Denih Hendrata of the Indonesian Fleet Command confirmed that three navy ships were deployed to assist with rescue operations.

Local fishermen played a critical role in the effort, helping save survivors who had jumped overboard and were drifting in the rough sea while wearing life jackets.

As of now, 284 passengers and crew members have been safely evacuated. However, there is no official count of the total number of people originally aboard the ferry.

“We are still focusing on evacuation efforts,” said Hendrata. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Images and video footage shared by the National Search and Rescue Agency captured the harrowing scene—passengers in life vests leaping into the ocean as flames and thick black smoke engulfed the vessel.

Indonesia, made up of more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferries for transportation. However, maritime disasters are common due to lax safety standards and poor enforcement.

In a separate incident earlier this month, a ferry near Bali sank, killing at least 19 people, with 16 still missing after a massive two-week search involving over 1,000 personnel. Just days ago, several people were found stranded by residents of the Mentawai Islands after their speedboat capsized during a storm. Fortunately, all were found in good condition.

Sunday’s tragedy adds to a growing list of maritime disasters in Indonesia, highlighting ongoing concerns over ferry safety and emergency preparedness in the region.