- At least three people died after a ferry caught fire off Talise Island in Indonesia
- The ferry was carrying around 280 passengers when the fire broke out
- Nearly 150 passengers were rescued by rescuers and local fishing boats
At least five people died after a passenger ferry, carrying approximately 280 people, caught fire on Sunday off Talise Island in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, the country's coast guards said in a statement. The ferry was on its way to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province. Some passengers jumped into the sea to avoid flames on the ferry named KM Barcelona 5.
"Five people were reported dead, two of whom have yet to be identified. Meanwhile, 284 people have been evacuated safely," Indonesia's Maritime Security Agency, also known as Bakamla, said in a statement.
Thick black smoke was seen billowing from the upper decks of the ferry. According to reports, the fire broke out at around 1:30 pm (local time).
A passenger named Abdul Rahmad Agu captured the terrifying scenes through a Facebook livestream. He was among many passengers who jumped into the water, with some of them wearing bright orange life jackets. Agu was seen floating while holding a baby.
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"Help, the KM Barcelona V is on fire. There are still many people on board," Abdul said in the video. "We are burning at sea... we need help... fast."
In initial reports, George Leo Mercy Randang, the head of the Manado Search and Rescue Office, said: "More information will follow. We hope all passengers can be rescued first."
Authorities have launched a probe into the cause of the fire. Electrical faults, fuel leaks or engine malfunctions are some of the potential factors.
Another passenger, Alwina Inang, recounted the panic that set in when the fire broke out, forcing her and her family to jump into the sea.
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"It happened very quickly. Around 12:00 WITA, someone shouted that there was a fire at the rear of the ship, and we immediately panicked," said Alwina Alwina, the wife of the Head of Traffic at the Talaud Islands Police, Christian M, as quoted by Antara news.
KM Barcelona V departed from the Talaud Islands and was scheduled to dock at Manado Port. Its delayed departure due to a storm the previous day has raised questions about potential mechanical or operational issues.
