A ferry carrying over 280 people caught fire off the coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on Sunday, resulting in at least five fatalities, including a pregnant woman, according to recent reports.
KM Barcelona VA ferry caught fire off Talise Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Three died, 150 rescued. Passengers jumped into the sea to escape flames. Rescue operations continue. https://t.co/UqPhiG208k pic.twitter.com/o2f6KYqWzo
— GeoTechWar (@geotechwar) July 20, 2025
Chaos Erupts as KM Barcelona 5 Catches Fire
The vessel, identified as KM Barcelona 5, was en route from the Talaud Islands to Manado when it was engulfed in flames near Talisei Island, prompting a massive rescue operation. The fire reportedly broke out around 12:00 PM local time, causing panic among passengers as thick black smoke billowed, and flames rapidly spread across the ferry’s upper decks.
Harrowing videos shared on social media depicted terrified passengers jumping overboard into choppy waters, many wearing bright orange life jackets.
Over 200 Passengers Rescued from the Burning Vessel
Inilah video proses evakuasi penumpang KM Barcelona oleh Tim SAR. Para penumpang dievakuasi menggunakan KN SAR Bima milik Basarnas.(20/7) #basarnas #timsar #sulawesiutara pic.twitter.com/YcgxPLUDSw
— @SAR_NASIONAL (@SAR_NASIONAL) July 20, 2025
Vice Admiral Denih Hendrata, Commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command, confirmed in a report that 284 passengers and crew members had been evacuated with assistance from three navy ships and local fishermen rescuing people drifting in the sea. “We are still focusing on evacuation efforts,” Hendrata stated, adding that the exact number of passengers onboard is unclear and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Dramatic Rescue Operations
The National Search and Rescue Agency released dramatic footage of the rescue operation, showcasing plumes of smoke rising from the vessel and survivors being pulled to safety. Rescued passengers were transported to nearby Ganga Island, according to Nuriadin Gumeleng, spokesperson for the North Sulawesi Search and Rescue Agency.
Survivor Alwina Inang, wife of a local police official, recounted her experience of surviving in the water for about an hour. She told local media outlet Detik, “We immediately jumped into the sea” after thick smoke filled the bridge during lunch.
Investigating the Cause and Context
The KM Barcelona 5 was traveling along a familiar route between the Talaud Islands and Manado. A Facebook Live video shot by a passenger named Abdul Rahmad Agu captured the harrowing moments as he held a toddler while seeking help.
As rescue efforts continue, the number of casualties is expected to rise as authorities search for missing passengers.
Maritime Accidents in Indonesia
This incident follows a series of maritime disasters in Indonesia. Earlier this month, a ferry capsized near Bali, killing at least 19 people, and just days ago, a speedboat with 18 passengers capsized near the Mentawai Islands during a storm.
