A tragic ferry fire off the coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia, has left at least five people dead, including a pregnant woman, after the vessel KM Barcelona 5 erupted in flames during its journey. The incident, which occurred near the Talaud Islands, forced passengers to abandon ship and swim through open waters in a desperate bid to survive.
Deadly Blaze Breaks Out Mid-Voyage
According to reports from the Indonesian Navy, the KM Barcelona 5 was en route from the remote Talaud Islands to the provincial capital of Manado when the fire broke out. Many passengers were having lunch or resting on the deck at the time.
When the flames and thick smoke quickly spread across the ferry, chaos erupted. Passengers scrambled to grab life jackets and jumped into the sea to escape the inferno. Some survivors swam for nearly an hour, pushing through exhaustion and fear to get far enough from the burning vessel and avoid suffocating smoke.
Indonesian Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Deny H. confirmed that the navy dispatched three ships for the rescue effort, managing to save 284 individuals, including both passengers and crew. Local fishermen also played a critical role, rescuing survivors who had drifted towards nearby islands while awaiting help.
Survivors Recall Harrowing Ordeal
One survivor, Alvina, recounted how she, her husband, and dozens of others were forced to leap into the ocean as flames rapidly engulfed the ship. She described swimming nearly an hour before feeling safe enough to stop and wait for rescuers.
“It was terrifying. We were having lunch when the smoke came rushing into the dining area. Someone shouted that the ship was on fire, and we just ran. I held onto my husband and jumped overboard. I didn’t think we’d make it,” she shared.
The exact number of passengers and crew aboard the KM Barcelona 5 remains unclear, and authorities have not yet reported any injuries. However, with five fatalities confirmed and many survivors suffering from shock and exposure, investigations into the cause of the fire are underway.
Safety and Oversight Under Scrutiny
This incident has once again raised serious concerns about maritime safety in Indonesia, a country with thousands of islands and a heavy reliance on ferries for transportation. Past ferry disasters in the region have often been linked to poor maintenance, overloading, and inadequate emergency protocols.
Authorities are expected to launch a full probe into the fire, including whether proper fire prevention and evacuation procedures were followed on board the KM Barcelona 5.