The KM Barcelona 5 passenger ferry, sailing off Manado in Indonesia's North Sulawesi province, suddenly caught fire around midday. Approximately 280 passengers were reported to be on board. The incident put regional security and disaster management units on high alert.
Dani Repi, the emergency response team leader of the North Sulawesi Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency, stated that the fire was noticed at around 13:00 local time and that an immediate response was launched.
3 PEOPLE KILLED, HUNDREDS EVACUATED
Search-and-Rescue Office official Veri Ariyanto announced that three people had lost their lives in the fire. Ariyanto said, "Thanks to the efforts of rescue teams and fishing boats in the area, 150 passengers have so far been safely evacuated." Some of the surviving passengers were reported to have saved themselves by jumping into the sea.
THEY JUMPED INTO THE SEA, RESCUE VESSELS MOBILISED
Moments of passengers jumping into the sea in panic after the fire broke out were captured by bystanders. In the recorded footage, people desperately leaping into the water to escape thick smoke and flames were visible.
Two rescue vessels and numerous inflatable boats joined the search-and-rescue operation. Civilian boats in the area are also voluntarily supporting the efforts.
INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED
While no clear information has yet been shared regarding the cause of the fire, Indonesian authorities announced that a wide-ranging investigation into the incident has been launched. Technical failures on the vessel and safety protocols are also being scrutinised.
News Source : 12punto
