Passenger Ship Catches Fire in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi, 3 Dead and Over 150 Rescued

KM Barcelona 5 Blaze Triggers Major Sea Rescue Operation as Shocking Videos Show Passengers Jumping into the Ocean

Jakarta : A tragic maritime accident unfolded on Sunday afternoon in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province when a passenger vessel, KM Barcelona 5, caught fire near Talis Island, killing at least three people and prompting the rescue of over 150 passengers. The incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. local time while the ship was en route to Manado, the provincial capital.

According to Veri Ariyanto, a senior official from the North Sulawesi Search and Rescue Office, the fire broke out while the vessel was sailing in open waters. “Three people were killed, and nearly 150 have been safely rescued,” he confirmed, adding that the rescue operation involved both official agencies and local fishermen who responded swiftly.

The KM Barcelona 5 was carrying approximately 280 passengers at the time of the incident. Rescue teams, comprising the National Search and Rescue Agency, Navy, Coast Guard, and local volunteers, were quick to respond. Two larger ships, several rigid inflatable boats, and other rescue vessels have been deployed in the ongoing efforts to locate and evacuate those still missing.

Heart-wrenching videos of the incident have flooded social media platforms, showing terrified passengers leaping off the burning vessel into the sea, some wearing life jackets while others struggled to escape the dense smoke and flames. In one viral clip, thick black smoke billows from the vessel while screams of panic can be heard. Another video shows passengers hurriedly donning life vests before jumping overboard.

Dani Repi, head of the quick reaction unit at the provincial Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency, stated that the fire’s cause is yet to be determined. Authorities have launched an investigation while focusing primarily on the ongoing rescue and relief operations.

This latest maritime disaster comes just weeks after a similarly tragic incident near Indonesia’s Bali Island. On July 3, a wooden passenger boat named Tunu Pratama Jaya Penumpang Motor capsized after being struck by massive waves near the maritime boundary of Bali and East Java provinces. That incident left three dead, four survivors, and 58 passengers still missing.

According to I Nyoman Sidakarya, head of the Bali Search and Rescue Office, the wooden vessel had departed from Banyuwangi, East Java, and was bound for Gilimanuk in Bali when it capsized due to strong currents and high waves. The vessel carried 53 passengers and 12 crew members. A total of 35 rescuers from Bali were deployed, alongside a rescue ship and a rubber boat.

Indonesia, an archipelagic nation of over 17,000 islands, frequently faces maritime safety challenges. Overcrowded vessels, poor maintenance, and unpredictable weather contribute to recurring accidents.

In the aftermath of the KM Barcelona 5 fire, authorities have renewed calls for stricter enforcement of maritime safety regulations. Meanwhile, search and rescue teams continue to scour the waters for missing passengers, hoping to prevent further loss of life in this devastating incident.