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5 dead after ferry catches fire off Indonesia's Sulawesi island; passengers jump for safety

5 dead after ferry catches fire off Indonesia's Sulawesi island; passengers jump for safety

CNA3 days ago
JAKARTA: An Indonesian ferry fire killed at least five people on Sunday (Jul 20), the country's coast guard said, while more than 200 others were saved with many jumping overboard to flee the huge blaze.
Dramatic footage of passengers jumping into the sea made the rounds on social media after the KM Barcelona 5 ferry was engulfed in flames off the coast of Sulawesi island, Indonesia's Maritime Security Agency said. The incident came just weeks after at least 19 people were killed when a ferry sank off the popular resort island of Bali.
"Five people were reported dead, two of whom have yet to be identified. Meanwhile, 284 people have been evacuated safely," the agency, also known as Bakamla, said in a statement.
The fire broke out at the ferry's stern as it was on its way to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, with some passengers jumping overboard with life jackets, the statement said.
Local media reported that the vessel was ferrying 280 passengers and was scheduled to dock at Manado Port.
Fishermen also helped evacuate the victims to nearby islands, while those injured were taken to the nearest health facility, Bakamla added.
The accident happened about one hour away from the resort town of Likupang, in the northern tip of Sulawesi, Manado search and rescue agency head, George Leo Mercy Randang, told AFP.
A video released by the Manado agency showed a Bakamla vessel spraying water on the ferry, which was still emitting thin black smoke.
"What is important is that we are prioritising rescue before nightfall," George told AFP, without confirming the total number of people who were on board the ferry.
Neither he nor Bakamla gave a cause for the fire.
Videos of the vessel fire went viral on TikTok, with some reportedly taken by passengers who had jumped aboard for safety.
Thick plumes of black smoke could be seen in the background as passengers floated in the water. In another clip posted on Tiktok by user Soalunsrat, passengers on the vessel were seen hurriedly putting on life vests even as others were seen panicking and attempting to make calls on their mobile phones.
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5 dead after ferry catches fire off Indonesia's Sulawesi island; passengers jump for safety
5 dead after ferry catches fire off Indonesia's Sulawesi island; passengers jump for safety

CNA

time3 days ago

  • CNA

5 dead after ferry catches fire off Indonesia's Sulawesi island; passengers jump for safety

JAKARTA: An Indonesian ferry fire killed at least five people on Sunday (Jul 20), the country's coast guard said, while more than 200 others were saved with many jumping overboard to flee the huge blaze. Dramatic footage of passengers jumping into the sea made the rounds on social media after the KM Barcelona 5 ferry was engulfed in flames off the coast of Sulawesi island, Indonesia's Maritime Security Agency said. The incident came just weeks after at least 19 people were killed when a ferry sank off the popular resort island of Bali. "Five people were reported dead, two of whom have yet to be identified. Meanwhile, 284 people have been evacuated safely," the agency, also known as Bakamla, said in a statement. The fire broke out at the ferry's stern as it was on its way to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, with some passengers jumping overboard with life jackets, the statement said. Local media reported that the vessel was ferrying 280 passengers and was scheduled to dock at Manado Port. Fishermen also helped evacuate the victims to nearby islands, while those injured were taken to the nearest health facility, Bakamla added. The accident happened about one hour away from the resort town of Likupang, in the northern tip of Sulawesi, Manado search and rescue agency head, George Leo Mercy Randang, told AFP. A video released by the Manado agency showed a Bakamla vessel spraying water on the ferry, which was still emitting thin black smoke. "What is important is that we are prioritising rescue before nightfall," George told AFP, without confirming the total number of people who were on board the ferry. Neither he nor Bakamla gave a cause for the fire. Videos of the vessel fire went viral on TikTok, with some reportedly taken by passengers who had jumped aboard for safety. Thick plumes of black smoke could be seen in the background as passengers floated in the water. In another clip posted on Tiktok by user Soalunsrat, passengers on the vessel were seen hurriedly putting on life vests even as others were seen panicking and attempting to make calls on their mobile phones.

Vessel catches fire off Indonesia's North Sulawesi province as passengers jump for safety
Vessel catches fire off Indonesia's North Sulawesi province as passengers jump for safety

CNA

time3 days ago

  • CNA

Vessel catches fire off Indonesia's North Sulawesi province as passengers jump for safety

SINGAPORE: Dramatic footage of passengers jumping into the sea after the vessel they on caught fire made the rounds on social media on Sunday (Jul 20), with Indonesian news outlet Detik reporting that the incident happened off an island in the country's North Sulawesi province. "According to initial information, the fire is located (off of) Talise island," Jerry Harmonsina, secretary of the North Sulawesi Regional Disaster Management Agency, told Detik. There has been no confirmation of the number of casualties, but Jerry told Detik that the fire broke out on the vessel on Sunday afternoon. Local media reported that the vessel – KM Barcelona 5 – was ferrying 280 passengers and was scheduled to dock at Manado Port. Jerry further said that a search and rescue team has been deployed to the location to carry out evacuations, while local fishermen are also assisting in rescue efforts. "The evacuation is currently underway, involving various units from the Navy, the National Search and Rescue Agency, the Coast Guard (as well as) assistance from local fishermen in the surrounding area," Jerry added. Videos of the vessel fire went viral on TikTok, with some reportedly taken by passengers who had jumped aboard for safety. Thick plumes of black smoke could be seen in the background as passengers floated in the water. In another clip posted on Tiktok by user Soalunsrat, passengers on the vessel were seen hurriedly putting on life vests even as others were seen panicking and attempting to make calls on their mobile phones.

Burnt incense paper that caused Chai Chee St fire sparks debate online
Burnt incense paper that caused Chai Chee St fire sparks debate online

Independent Singapore

time15-07-2025

  • Independent Singapore

Burnt incense paper that caused Chai Chee St fire sparks debate online

SINGAPORE: A fire on Sunday morning (July 13) at Block 52 Chai Chee Street was successfully put out by firefighters from the Paya Lebar and Changi Fire Stations using a water jet. However, the incident caused seven people to require medical attention. Fortunately, none of them needed to be conveyed to the hospital. As a precautionary measure, a total of 35 people were evacuated from the premises by officers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). The blaze was concentrated at the lift lobby on the 13th floor, which affected two units on the floor above with heat and soot damage. The fire began after a woman burned joss paper for Guanyin's birthday. Unfortunately, the flames spread to several items nearby, and the SCDF was called in shortly past 8:00 on Sunday morning. A resident named Mr Yang told Lianhe Zaobao that while his wife usually burns joss papers outdoors, on Sunday, she chose to perform the ritual at the lift lobby, where he usually keeps items that catch fire, including wooden cabinets and chairs. The fire also caused the power to be cut out for a few hours. Unsurprisingly, commenters online had some negative things to say about Mr Yang, 66, and his wife. A Reddit user held them both responsible for the fire: 'Mr Yang for hoarding flammable rubbish and his wife for burning incense paper next to the flammable rubbish.' 'Hope they'll be charged and made an example of,' wrote another. To this, a commenter replied: 'Entitled folks not wanting to use bin below. Let's see if they get charged or not.' Another chimed in to say, 'Honestly, those barrels should also be banned… Anyone who has ever lived on a low floor knows how bad it can get during some months. If you have no air-conditioning, your options are to choke or to choke and melt from heat.' However, one wrote the following: 'As someone who burns incense, I say times have changed, and the right way to burn incense is to go to the temple and use the ones there. See also Fire! Video of alleged loanshark harassment circulates online As well ……it is rude to burn incense at the void deck because the smoke does give people who want to dry clothes a bad time….like need to rewash.' 'I mean, in a perfect world, I would appreciate neighbours who don't burn offerings. It's not a perfect world, though, and we have to make do. I empathise with you. I'd rather they burn in the barrels than everywhere else they feel like,' a Reddit user chimed in. /TISG Read also: Jurong West landlord evicts tenant after his power bank catches fire & causes damage

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