Passenger Ship Blaze Claims Lives of Three in Indonesia

At least three individuals perished on the KM Barcelona 5, which was carrying over 200 passengers, after flames erupted while navigating through North Sulawesi on Sunday morning, as confirmed by local authorities and media outlets. Vice Admiral Denih Hendrata, head of the Indonesian Fleet Command, reported that the vessel was sailing from the Talaud Islands to Manado, the provincial capital, near the Talise area when the fire broke out.

Disturbing footage shared by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency showed a rescue ship nearing the flaming passenger boat, which was engulfed in thick black smoke. Passengers clad in life jackets could be seen in the water, being rescued by nearby boats. According to rescue officials, approximately 280 individuals were on board, but a comprehensive count of those rescued, injured, or missing has yet to be established.

Efforts to aid the stranded individuals involved several vessels and smaller inflatable crafts from the agency, known as BASARNAS. The cause of the fire remains unknown, as does the identity of the ship’s operator. Incidents involving passenger ferries are unfortunately common in Indonesia, a country made up of over 17,000 islands where maritime travel is prevalent. Earlier this month, a ferry tragedy also led to the loss of five lives and left 29 others missing in a separate incident en route to Bali.

Johnny Diaz is a journalist for The Times, reporting on significant events from Miami.