On this photograph constructed from video launched by the Indonesian Nationwide Search and Rescue Company, rescue ship approaches passenger ship KM Barcelona after it caught fireplace within the waters off Talise Island in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on July 20, 2025.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
A passenger ferry carrying lots of of individuals caught fireplace at sea on Sunday (July 20, 2025) off Sulawesi island in Indonesia, killing at the least 5 folks, officers mentioned. Greater than 280 folks have been rescued and evacuation efforts have been ongoing.
The KM Barcelona 5 was headed to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, from Talaud, an island district within the province, when it caught fireplace in waters close to Talise, mentioned Vice Adm. Denih Hendrata, commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command.
He mentioned that three navy ships had been deployed, and 284 passengers and crew members had been evacuated thus far. The rescue operation included help from native fishermen, who saved some survivors carrying life jackets as they have been drifting to close by islands within the uneven waters.
Rescuers retrieved 5 our bodies, together with a pregnant lady. There have been no quick experiences of accidents, and no actual figures of passengers and crew members onboard the ferry.
“We’re nonetheless specializing in evacuation efforts,” Mr. Hendrata mentioned, including that the reason for the hearth was being investigated.
Smoke billows from passenger ship KM Barcelona after it caught fireplace within the waters off Talise Island in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on July 20, 2025. Photograph: BASARNAS through AP
Pictures and movies launched by the Nationwide Search and Rescue Company (BASARNAS) confirmed terrified passengers, largely carrying life jackets, leaping into the ocean. Orange flames and black smoke billowed from the burning vessel.
Indonesia is an archipelago of greater than 17,000 islands the place ferries are a typical methodology of journey. Disasters happen frequently, with weak security enforcement usually blamed.
Residents of the Mentawai Islands discovered a number of folks stranded on July 14 after a speedboat carrying 18 folks capsized throughout a storm the day earlier than, authorities mentioned. All have been in good situation.
A ferry sank close to Indonesia’s resort island of Bali early this month, leaving at the least 19 useless and 16 others lacking. A two-week search operation concerned greater than 1,000 rescuers, three navy ships, 15 boats, a helicopter and divers.
Printed – July 20, 2025 07:30 pm IST
