A tragic ferry fire off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia, claimed the lives of at least five individuals on Sunday, as reported by the country’s coastguard, Bakamla. The incident occurred aboard the KM Barcelona 5 ferry while en route to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, highlighting ongoing safety concerns for maritime transportation in Indonesia.
The fire erupted at the ferry’s stern, prompting a chaotic evacuation as more than 200 passengers scrambled to escape the flames. Many resorted to jumping overboard, equipped with life jackets, to flee the inferno. The Bakamla agency confirmed that 284 individuals were successfully evacuated and that efforts were made to aid victims, with fishermen assisting in transporting survivors to nearby islands.
The situation was particularly dire, given the recent tragedy in which 19 people lost their lives when another ferry sank near Bali just weeks prior. The current fire raised alarms about the safety and regulation of ferry services in the region. While the identities of two of the deceased remain unknown, the Bakamla agency is coordinating relief efforts, including transporting the injured to local hospitals for medical care.
Footage from the scene shows a Bakamla vessel working to extinguish the fire while the KM Barcelona 5 continued to emit thick black smoke. The incident happened approximately an hour from Likupang, a popular resort town, further underscoring the potential dangers associated with ferry travel in Indonesia’s scenic but unpredictable waters.
The prompt response from the coastguard and nearby fishermen highlights community cooperation in emergency situations, yet this incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in ensuring passenger safety in Indonesia’s maritime transport system.
