Video: Passengers dive into sea as KM Barcelona ferry catches fire in North Sulawesi waters

Abdullateef Fowewe

An intense fire broke out on the KM Barcelona ferry near Talise Island in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on Sunday, July 20, forcing passengers to jump into the sea to escape the blazing vessel.

Video link: https://x.com/DailyEconews/status/1946983838552338706?t=eZGEh9pkDLgLc7CG501xNw&s=19

The ferry, carrying about 280 passengers bound for Manado port, caught fire near the stern as it sailed off Sulawesi island.

Video shared by Al Jazeera shows passengers urgently donning life jackets before leaping into the water as thick black smoke and flames engulfed the ship’s upper deck.

Rescue efforts included naval vessels, Indonesia’s Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), and local fishermen who helped ferry survivors to nearby islands.

It was gathered that injured passengers were taken to local health facilities, and the evacuation continued into the evening to ensure all passengers were accounted for before nightfall.

At the time of filing this report the cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.