Indonesian ferry catches fire off North Sulawesi, 3 dead, over 130 missing as passengers leap into sea

At least three people lost their lives and around 150 others were rescued after a passenger ferry carrying nearly 280 individuals caught fire off the coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on Sunday, according to China’s state-run news agency, Xinhua. Authorities have confirmed that about 130 passengers remain unaccounted for as an intensive rescue operation continues.

The ill-fated vessel, KM Barcelona 5, was sailing near Manado, the provincial capital, when the fire broke out around 1 PM local time, said Dani Repi, head of the provincial Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency’s quick reaction team.

“Three people were killed, and nearly 150 were rescued safely. They were saved by a joint team of rescuers and local fishermen,” stated Veri Ariyanto, a senior official with the provincial Search and Rescue Office.

The tragedy was captured in disturbing videos shared across social media, showing terrified passengers jumping into the sea as flames and thick black smoke engulfed the ship. One video, taken by a survivor, shows him holding onto a baby while floating in the sea after escaping the blaze.

Other clips depict frantic scenes aboard the vessel, with passengers donning orange life jackets and preparing to leap into the water in desperation.

A large-scale search and rescue mission is currently underway. Two ships, several rigid inflatable boats, and other support vessels have been deployed to locate and rescue the remaining passengers, Ariyanto confirmed.

Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire. Investigations are expected to follow once rescue efforts are concluded.