Tragedy at Sea: Indonesian Ferry Catches Fire, Leaving 5 Dead and Hundreds Rescued
MANADO, INDONESIA – July 21, 2025
A routine ferry journey turned into a harrowing nightmare on Sunday as the KM Barcelona 5, a passenger vessel carrying hundreds, caught fire off the coast of Sulawesi island in Indonesia. The blaze claimed at least five lives, including that of a pregnant woman, while more than 280 people were rescued in a large-scale emergency operation that is still ongoing.
The ferry was en route to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, from Talaud, an island district in the same province, when disaster struck near the waters of Talise. According to Vice Admiral Denih Hendrata, commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command, the fire broke out unexpectedly while the vessel was mid-journey.
“We are still focusing on evacuation efforts,” Hendrata said, stressing that the main priority remains saving as many lives as possible. He added that the cause of the fire remains under investigation, and no confirmed count of the total number of people onboard has yet been released.
The Indonesian Navy immediately launched a response, deploying three ships to aid in the rescue mission. They were joined by local fishermen, who played a vital role in the early hours of the crisis. Several survivors were seen drifting in the open sea, clinging to life jackets as waves tossed them about. Some managed to swim to nearby islands before being picked up.
Images and videos shared by Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) captured the terrifying moments as passengers—many in bright orange life vests—hurled themselves into the sea to escape the flames. Thick black smoke poured into the sky as the vessel burned, with orange fire engulfing parts of the ferry.
“It was chaos,” said Abdul Rahmad Agu, a survivor who livestreamed the incident on Facebook. “People were screaming, jumping into the water. I was holding a baby and just praying we would survive.”
So far, 284 passengers and crew members have been evacuated. Search and rescue teams continue combing the area for possible survivors, fearing that more may still be unaccounted for.
Though no injuries have been officially reported beyond the five confirmed fatalities, the emotional and psychological toll is evident. Family members waiting at the Manado port were seen crying and anxiously trying to contact loved ones.
Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferry transport. But accidents are not uncommon, often due to lax safety standards, overcapacity, or poor maintenance. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether the KM Barcelona 5 was carrying passengers beyond its maximum limit.
President Joko Widodo has yet to issue a formal statement, but government officials say the Ministry of Transportation will launch a full inquiry into the incident. The focus now remains on ensuring the safety of survivors and accounting for all who were onboard.
As the blackened skeleton of the KM Barcelona 5 smolders in the sea, many questions remain unanswered. But one thing is clear: this tragedy has once again exposed the dangers facing Indonesia’s maritime transport system and the urgent need for stronger safety measures.
For now, the nation watches and waits as rescue operations continue into the night.
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