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
CBS News
3 hours ago
- CBS News
Fire destroys buildings at Miccosukee reservation, community vows to rebuild
A massive fire that tore through part of the Miccosukee Indian reservation Sunday night destroyed several buildings, damaged vehicles and left a deep mark on a tight-knit community. The fire erupted just before 8:40 p.m. at the Miccosukee Tiger Camp off Southwest 8th Street at 377th Avenue, prompting a swift multi-agency response that included Miccosukee police and security and more than 70 Miami-Dade firefighters. Sherry Tiger, whose grandfather Buffalo Tiger helped found the Tiger Camp, said three key community structures were lost: her aunt's home, a sewing and craft learning center, and a traditional Chickee building. "We still can't believe what we saw. A couple of buildings are down. This was a family camp with tradition and it has been here 40 to 50 years. It's my family camp," Tiger said. "We lost a sewing center for the community," she added. "A seamstress was in there where they teach people to do patch work and make clothing. We also lost a main Chickee building for the community where people go to eat and stay." Tiger said her aunt's family lost everything in the fire. "It is really tragic and very sad. I feel so bad for my aunt and her family. They lost everything. I have lived here my whole life," she said. Despite the loss, she emphasized the community's resilience: "That is what we do. We try to help each other." J.M. Richard, Assistant Fire Chief of Operations for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, said five buildings and multiple vehicles were damaged or destroyed. The blaze was elevated to a third alarm to bring in additional resources. "The fire was complicated by strong winds and down power lines throughout the street and the community hampering firefighting efforts," Richard said. He credited Miccosukee police and security for helping evacuate the area swiftly. "They assisted in the evacuation preventing injuries and I have to take my hat off to them," he said. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue released dramatic images and video from the scene, including aerial footage showing flames engulfing the area. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but officials said no injuries were reported and no foul play is suspected. Tiger said she believes the fire started by accident.
CBS News
4 hours ago
- CBS News
Pet snake enclosure sparks fire inside Massachusetts home
A fire at a home in Whitman, Massachusetts started in a pet snake enclosure, fire investigators said. It happened around 10:45 p.m. on Sunday at a 2-story house on Morgan Road. Everyone in the home was able to safely escape without injury. The residents told firefighters that the flames started in a second-floor bedroom. Whitman firefighters brought a hose through the front door and up the stairs, where they found a small fire in a pet snake's enclosure. Whitman Fire Chief Timothy Clancy said the fire was extinguished "swiftly" and did not spread to any other rooms. Once the fire was out, a python was found alive in the room. Firefighters removed it from the house and returned the snake to its owners. The Whitman Board of Health, electrical inspector, and Massachusetts State Police all responded to the home to investigate the fire. Inspectors found that the home had working smoke detectors. Once the residents smelled smoke, they found the fire upstairs. When they were unable to extinguish the fire on their own, the residents closed the bedroom door and went outside. "I would like to thank everyone who helped respond to this incident and commend them for their professionalism," Clancy said. "We're glad that no one was hurt as a result of this fire, including the pet snake. We were able to quickly put out the flames before they spread elsewhere throughout the house, preventing further damage to the property, which is always good news."
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Structure felled by fire had divine roots
Jul. 26—WATERTOWN — As 235 N. Rutland went up in flames on Tuesday night, forcing its demolition two days later, a piece of the city's spiritual history fell with it. The apartment complex, at the intersection of North Rutland and Olive streets, was the original home of Emmanuel Congregational Church, now at 119 S. Hamilton St. Nearly 150 years ago, the Rev. W.T. Stokes of Rodman Congregational Church was chosen to start the first Congregational church in the city. To help in the mission, a principal donation was received from First Presbyterian Church, with other contributions from local Episcopalians, Methodists and Baptists. The lot was purchased from Edwin Paddock. The North Rutland Street structure was completed as a church in October of 1886 and dedicated a few months later. At the time, the population on the east/northeast side of Watertown was steadily growing. Emmanuel's Sunday school enrolled 40 children at its opening, which increased to 150 students in six months. According to Times files, the congregation outgrew the North Rutland Street site and ordered plans drawn for the new church at its present site. In June 1912, a contract was signed for the construction of the new building at a cost of $54,500 — about $1.9 million in today's dollars. The structure, made of Pamelia limestone, was built at a rapid pace, and in September of 1913, the Rev. Dr. Rockwell Harmon Potter of Hartford, Connecticut, preached the dedicatory sermon. The Times called the structure, "Magnificent, built by popular subscription." From its inception, the church has been not only a house of worship, but a social service center as it serves people of all faiths. On Sept. 15, 1913, the church published a classified advertisement in the Times: "For sale, cheap: Old Emmanuel church, corner of Olive and Rutland streets. Also, church pews in first-class condition. Good investment for tenement flat." When city fire crews arrived at the site at 9:31 p.m. Tuesday, heavy fire was seen in a rear stairwell entrance to an upstairs apartment. Fire had also spread to the attic. The fire prevented access to the attic, and as the fire progressed, firefighters were forced to go on the defensive. The structure sustained heavy damage and was deemed unsafe. City crews demolished it on Thursday and Friday. On Friday, Watertown City Fire Department Deputy Chief Michael D. Kellogg said there was one "legally occupied" apartment in the structure, which was owned by Tyler Gray. But there was evidence of a few others staying there. "Others weren't there with the approval of the owner," Kellogg said. "I don't know what that scenario was. I just know they were there, essentially, without permission. It's like similar structures within the city, which tries to secure them, but people break in." That has been an issue in Watertown and other communities. "People seek shelter and they're going to go where they can, legally or not," Kellogg said. "It's unfortunate, but it's kind of a sign of the times right now." An Emmanuel church official said Friday that anyone impacted by the fire and who may need assistance because of it should contact the church at 315-782-2650. On the web: Solve the daily Crossword
