A deadly fire broke out on a passenger ferry in Indonesian waters on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
The ship, KM Barcelona 5, was traveling from the Talaud Islands to Manado in North Sulawesi when it caught fire near Talise Island.
Thick smoke and flames spread across the ferry, forcing many of the 280+ passengers and crew to jump overboard wearing life jackets.
Rescue operations quickly began, with the Indonesian Navy, the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), and local search and rescue teams working together.
Several vessels, including KRI Pari, KAL Tedung Selar, and KN Gajah Laut, were involved in the emergency response. Local fishing boats and port ships also joined in the effort.
So far, 284 people have been rescued alive from the sea. However, five people, including a pregnant woman, did not survive.
The total number of people originally on board is still being verified, and no injuries have been officially reported beyond the confirmed deaths.
The rescued passengers were taken to Ganga Island and the Likupang Port area, where emergency teams are assisting them and continuing to search for any remaining individuals.
The cause of the fire is still unknown and under investigation.
This incident is the latest in a series of marine accidents in Indonesia this month.
Earlier in July, a ferry capsized near Bali, causing multiple deaths, and another speedboat incident occurred off the Mentawai Islands.
Ferry travel is a common way to move between Indonesia’s thousands of islands, but safety issues have led to frequent maritime disasters in recent years.
Authorities continue to assess the situation and check for any missing passengers from KM Barcelona 5.