A massive fire broke out aboard a passenger ferry off the coast of Talise Island on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least three individuals and the rescue of roughly 150 passengers. The ship, identified as KM Barcelona V, was en route to Manado Port from the Talaud Islands when the disaster struck in the early afternoon.

Video of the Incident Went Viral

Eyewitness videos shared online show panicked passengers plunging into the sea to escape the engulfing flames and clouds of thick black smoke. Many people, including families with children, had no choice but to abandon ship. Among those who leapt into the water was Abdul Rahmad Agu, who captured the harrowing moment live on Facebook. Floating while holding a baby, he pleaded, “Help, the KM Barcelona V is on fire. There are still many people on board,” he said. “We are burning at sea… we need help… fast.”

The Indonesian Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) confirmed that a combined effort by their personnel and nearby fishing boats helped save nearly 150 lives. Veri Ariyanto, a senior official from the agency, stated, “Three people died and nearly 150 were rescued. They were rescued by a combination of rescue teams and local fishing boats.”

At least one of the confirmed fatalities was a pregnant woman, whose body was later retrieved and brought ashore, according to Nuriadin Gumeleng, a spokesperson involved in the emergency response.

Rescue Operation Underway

A massive rescue operation is underway, with around 130 passengers still unaccounted for. The fire is believed to have erupted at around 1:30 pm local time, but earlier reports from some survivours suggest smoke may have been noticed closer to noon. 

“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,” recounted Alwina Inang, wife of a local police traffic head, to Antara News.

Passengers without immediate access to life jackets were seen jumping overboard, while others clung to the ship alongside their children. Dramatic social media videos depict the chaos as dense smoke poured from the vessel.

Search and rescue vessels, including Basarnas ships, rigid inflatable boats, and boats from nearby diving operators, were rapidly deployed to the site. Speaking about the efforts, George Leo Mercy Randang, head of the Manado SAR office, said, “The incident occurred near the waters of Talise, North Minahasa. The team should have arrived at the location by now, as the latest reports indicated they were close to the burning ship. The team is focusing on rescue and evacuation first.”

In one emotional video, a female survivour stranded in the sea was heard calling out, “SAR team, please help.”

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. However, authorities are examining potential triggers such as electrical problems, fuel leaks, or engine failure. Notably, the ferry had experienced a delayed departure the previous day due to severe weather, raising questions about whether any technical issues were overlooked.

This incident follows another maritime tragedy in Southeast Asia, where a tourist boat capsized off Vietnam’s coast, killing at least 38 people just a day earlier.