Passengers leap into sea as blaze spreads rapidly
Disturbing footage circulating on social media captures the chaos that unfolded aboard the ferry. Passengers are seen frantically donning life jackets, shouting for help, and jumping overboard as thick black smoke and flames engulfed the vessel. In one viral video, people floating in the water are surrounded by clouds of smoke, while in another, crew members assist terrified passengers in securing their vests before abandoning ship.
The fire is believed to have started around 1:30pm local time, with smoke reportedly emerging from the lower decks before rapidly consuming the ferry.
Rescue underway as authorities race against time
Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, alongside the Navy, Coast Guard, and local fishermen, swiftly launched an emergency response to evacuate those onboard. A command post has been set up at Likupang Port to coordinate search and rescue efforts.
“Three people were killed, and nearly 150 were rescued safely. They were rescued by the joint rescue team and local fishermen’s boats,” Veri Ariyanto, a senior official at the provincial Search and Rescue Office told Xinhua.
Jerry Harmonsina, Secretary of the North Sulawesi Regional Disaster Management Agency, confirmed to local news outlet Detik that the ferry caught fire near Talise Island and added that rescue efforts were ongoing.
Some of the rescued passengers were seen watching in shock as the ferry, once painted blue and white, was reduced to a charred shell. The flames had stripped away the vessel’s outer layer, exposing its inner metal framework.
Investigation pending; cause of fire unknown
The exact cause of the fire remains unclear. Authorities are expected to launch an investigation once all passengers are accounted for and the immediate rescue operations are complete. Family members of those onboard have been urged to remain calm and await further updates.
KM Barcelona VA was operating on the Manado-Tahuna route and also served surrounding islands. It was nearing Manado Port when the disaster struck.
Tragedy at sea continues in Southeast Asia
The blaze on KM Barcelona VA comes just a day after a separate maritime tragedy in Vietnam, where a tourist boat named Wonder Sea capsized in Halong Bay amid high winds. According to VN Express, at least 38 people died, with five still unaccounted for and 11 rescued.
