A tragic maritime accident unfolded on Sunday in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province, where the KM Barcelona 5, a passenger ferry carrying around 280 people, caught fire in the waters off Manado, the provincial capital. The incident occurred around 1 pm local time, prompting a large-scale rescue operation.
According to official sources:
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At least three people have died,
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Around 150 passengers were successfully rescued,
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But approximately 130 individuals remain unaccounted for.
Dani Repi, head of the provincial Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency's quick reaction team, confirmed the timing and location of the fire, while Veri Ariyanto, a senior official from the provincial Search and Rescue Office, reported that joint rescue teams and local fishermen played a crucial role in saving many lives.
Shocking videos circulating on social media show:
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Passengers in panic, some leaping into the sea as the ship is engulfed in towering flames and thick black smoke,
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Others wearing orange life jackets and rings, preparing to abandon the vessel,
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A particularly distressing scene of a survivor clinging to a baby while floating in the water.
In response, authorities have deployed:
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Two large rescue ships,
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Several rigid inflatable boats,
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And other support vessels to aid the search and rescue mission.
As the search for the missing continues, the tragedy highlights the recurring safety challenges in Indonesia’s maritime transport sector, which frequently suffers from overcrowding, inadequate safety measures, and aging vessels. Investigations into the cause of the fire are likely to follow once the immediate emergency is under control.
