Ferry Bursts into Flames with 280 Passengers Onboard, Forcing Many to Jump into the Sea to Escape Inferno
A fire tore through a ferry carrying 280 passengers while off the coast of Indonesia on Sunday, July 20
Footage shared on social media shows passengers leaping into the sea to escape the inferno
At least one person has died amid the blaze, according to local news outlet Jakarta GlobeAt least one person has died and the death toll is expected to rise after a ferry burst into flames off the coast of Indonesia.
On Sunday, July 20, the KM Barcelona VA vessel was traveling between the Talaud Islands and Manado when it caught fire at approximately 12:00 p.m. local time, near Talisei Island, local news outlets IDN Times and Jakarta Globe reported.
The ferry was carrying 280 passengers at the time of the blaze, according to the outlets. The cause of the fire has not been disclosed at this time.
In harrowing footage posted on X, passengers can be seen jumping off the burning boat into the sea while wearing life jackets as flames and thick black smoke arise from the top of the ship. Screams and cries can be heard as several people float in the water waiting to be rescued.
One person has died in the incident, IDN Times reported. It is not yet known whether the person died in the inferno or drowned.
A passenger identified as Abdul Rahmad Agu showed himself holding a toddler after escaping the ferry in a Facebook livestream while calling for help.
In another video shared on X, the fire can be seen blazing through the inside of the ferry on the upper deck. Passengers on the lower level scrambled to get their belongings in what appeared to be a sleeping area.
The Manado Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP) sent three ships for rescue and evacuation, IDN Times reported. "There are KM Barcelona III, KM Venecian, and KM Cantika Lestari 9F," the Manado KSOP officer told the outlet.
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Nuriadin Gumeleng, a spokesperson for the North Sulawesi Search and Rescue (SAR) Agency said rescued passengers are being brought to the nearby Ganga Island.
'Our operation is currently focused on locating and rescuing any remaining passengers who may still be aboard the vessel,' Nuriadin said, according to Jakarta Globe.
In footage shared by Indonesian outlet KOMPASTV, local fishing boats are seen rescuing some of the passengers in the waters following the incident.
Passenger, Alwina Inang, alleged to the local news outlet Detik that she survived in the water for around an hour before being rescued.
"I was eating with the family of the Head of the Talaud Criminal Investigation Unit when suddenly flames of smoke entered the ship's bridge," said Alwina, who is the wife of the Head of Traffic Police of the Talaud Islands Police, Christian M, per Detik.
"We immediately jumped into the sea," Alwina added.
It is not known how many casualties there are this time.
PEOPLE has reached out to the Coast Guard and the national police for comment.
Read the original article on People
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Borel Fire wonder dog is now living a survivor's life of luxury in Tehachapi
TEHACHAPI, Calif. (KGET) — In the matter of Dog vs. Fire, the winner is the dog! Remember this little story from last year's Borel Fire? If exhausted Kern County firefighters needed a morale boost they got one last July 26 — a grateful, abandoned dog, injured by the flames, who turned up just as the men were refilling their depleted reserves of stamina and preparing to move on. They called the pooch Walker, after Walker Basin, where introductions were first made. RELATED: Kern County firefighters rescue dog in Borel Fire Engine 318 from Stallion Springs found the dog with significant burns on all four paws. The three-year-old Shepherd-cattle dog mix recovered at the Tehachapi Veterinary Hospital. Stormy Fralick, a staff tech at the vet hospital, looked after him. Kern County Animal Services searched for the dog's owner, who they realized might have lost their home in the fire or might have otherwise evacuated. They placed 'found dog' notices all over social media, gave it some time — and ultimately allowed Fralick to adopt him. Now his name is Reggie — and photographic evidence suggests he's happy, healthy and enjoying his two adoptive siblings. All's well that ends well. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Moment Edinburgh blaze rips through city centre building as fire crews swarm street
The moment Edinburgh fire crews swarmed a city centre street was caught on camera. Residents in the capital were urged to keep their windows and doors closed after the dwelling fire around 11am on Saturday morning. Footage captured from the scene shows the blaze tearing through a building on Jeffrey Street as a cordon was erected in the area. READ MORE: Forth Road Bridge closed in both directions as drivers urged to 'avoid the area' READ MORE: Edinburgh bingo hall imposes strict new rules as manager left 'absolutely disgusted' Four appliances and one height appliance was sent to the scene. Images show smoke billowing into the sky as firefighters tackle the blaze. It's understood no casualties have been reported. Scottish Fire and Rescue remain in attendance. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. An SFRS spokesperson said: "We were made aware at 11.09am on Saturday, July 26, to reports of a dwelling fire at Jeffrey Street. "We have four appliances and a height appliance at the scene. There are no reports of any casualties. "We are currently still in attendance."


CBS News
12 hours ago
- CBS News
Lodi Fire Foundation turns to community to support local fire stations
The Lodi Fire Foundation has launched a new campaign, seeking community support to help fund local fire stations. "If you have a safe and healthy fire department, then you have a safe and healthy community," Lodi Fire Foundation President Chris Meehleis said. To do it, they say, every extra piece of equipment counts. The new campaign is called Sponsor Your Local Fire Station. "We have four," Meehleis explained." You can pick one, the one that you live near, or you can just do it for Lodi in general." This year's city budget provides roughly $19 million to the fire department that supports 47 total firefighters, with 15 on call every day. To keep that up, they need all the help they can get. "It's just another fundraising opportunity," Lodi Fire Foundation Treasurer Hobie Day shared. "We have two big ones that we mostly focus on, the golf tournament in May, and then the Christmas festival in December. So we're just always looking for additional sources of fundraising that we can contribute to the fire department and ultimately, the community of Lodi." Anyone can donate any amount of money to the foundation, ranging from a dollar to $10. All of it goes back into the departments right in your neighborhood. "It allows us to help raise funds to meet the unfunded needs," Lodi Fire Foundation Vice Chair Kirk Sasaki said. "We can help keep our firefighters safe or get them equipment that can help them help keep our community safe as well." The equipment the foundation has already given to the department is not only essential for the firefighters, but the community as a whole. "We're now on this campaign for the cardiac monitors," Meehleis continued. "The city bought one, then the foundation bought another one, and it attaches to the patient and tells all the vitals. It sends that information to the hospital ahead, before they get there, so the emergency rooms can know who, what and all the vitals that are coming in." Other equipment includes extractors, which help wash toxins out of fire gear, tactical vests to protect crews from bullets, and equipment for their water rescue boat. All equipment to protect them so they can protect us. "Lodi is unique. It's livable, lovable Lodi, right? So that's why everybody here supports Lodi, and it's a great community. You can't beat it. Everybody pitches in, donates, and not just to us. It's a very giving community," Meehleis said. The Lodi Fire Foundation says they typically raise $50,000 to $60,000 every year.