BREAKING NEWS: Passenger Ferry Engulfed in Flames Off North Sulawesi, Casualties Confirmed Amid Mass Evacuation

MANADO, Indonesia – A harrowing maritime disaster unfolded today near Talise Island, North Sulawesi, as the KM Barcelona passenger ferry, carrying over 280 individuals, became engulfed in a massive fire. Scenes of sheer panic and desperation gripped the vessel as flames rapidly spread, forcing terrified passengers, including families with young children, to leap into the churning sea to escape the inferno.

Indonesian search and rescue teams immediately launched a large-scale evacuation operation. The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), and local search and rescue agencies, along with brave local fishermen, swiftly responded to the distress calls.

While initial reports indicated no confirmed casualties, authorities have since tragically confirmed fatalities. Vice Admiral Denih Hendrata, commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command, stated that at least five people have died, including a pregnant woman. Over 280 passengers and crew members have been successfully rescued, with efforts still ongoing to ensure all on board are accounted for.

Eyewitness accounts and videos circulated on social media depict the terrifying ordeal, showing orange flames and thick black smoke billowing from the burning vessel, and passengers, many wearing life jackets, jumping into the water.Survivors have recounted harrowing escapes, some clinging to debris or swimming for extended periods before being picked up by rescue boat. 

The KM Barcelona was en route from a port in the Talaud Islands District to Manado City, the capital of North Sulawesi province, when the fire erupted in the waters near Talise Island. The exact cause of the blaze remains unknown and is currently under investigation by authorities.

This incident marks another tragic maritime accident for Indonesia, an archipelago nation heavily reliant on ferry transport between its more than 17,000 islands. Safety concerns on Indonesian ferries have been a recurring issue, with several fatal incidents reported in recent years. Just earlier this month, a ferry sank near Bali, resulting in multiple deaths and missing persons.

As rescue efforts continue and the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on accounting for all individuals and providing support to the survivors and the families of those who perished in this devastating incident.