Passenger Ferry Catches Fire off Coast of Indonesia, Three Dead and 575 Rescued

At least three people have died and 575 passengers have been rescued after a passenger ferry caught fire off the coast of Indonesia’s Sulawesi island. Two people remain missing. Initial reports indicated over 280 passengers were rescued, but the number has now risen to 575.

The fire, which started in the ferry’s stern on Sunday 20 July, was extinguished within an hour, according to rescue agencies. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire that led to this tragic incident.

Smoke billowed from the KM III Barcelona as the flames tore through the superstructure, causing panic among passengers. Videos shared online show terrified passengers jumping into the water to escape the engulfing flames.

The Indonesian Navy, the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), and local search and rescue teams worked together in the joint effort to rescue the passengers. The ferry was en route from Melonguane port in Talaud Islands district to Manado city, the capital of North Sulawesi province, when the fire broke out.