3 killed, 150 rescued after passenger ship catches fire in Indonesia
JAKARTA (July 20): At least three people were killed and about 150 others rescued after a passenger ship caught fire in the waters of Indonesia's North Sulawesi province on Sunday, according to Veri Ariyanto, a senior official at the provincial Search and Rescue Office.
'Three people were killed, and nearly 150 were rescued safely. They were rescued by the joint rescue team and local fishermen's boats,' he told Xinhua.
The search and rescue operation is still underway. Two ships, several rigid inflatable boats, and other vessels have been deployed, Ariyanto said.
The ship, KM Barcelona 5, caught fire while sailing in the waters off Manado, the capital city of the province, at around 1:00 pm local time, Dani Repi, head of the quick reaction team of the provincial Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency, said.
Approximately 280 people were on board, he said. – Bernama-Xinhua boat fire fatal accident passenger ship
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Mozambique launches beekeeping project for wildlife protection, rural income growth
MAPUTO, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican authorities have launched a beekeeping project near Magoe National Park in Tete Province to produce 100 tonnes of honey annually, while reducing human-wildlife conflict and promoting sustainable livelihoods for nearby communities, local media reported on Monday. According to Mozambique's state news agency AIM, the Community Economic Empowerment Project, with a budget of 20 million meticais (about 316,105 U.S. dollars), is being implemented in the buffer zone of the park. The project includes the installation of 4,000 beehives, training programs for community members, and the establishment of a honey processing facility. Nelson Antonio, director of the Technical and Financial Assistance Services of the Zambezi Valley Development Agency, revealed that the initiative serves to generate income and act as a natural deterrent to elephants. "Elephants are afraid of bees. Studies show they avoid areas with hives because bee stings to sensitive areas such as the eyes, trunk, and ears are extremely painful," he said. "By placing hives along fences surrounding farmland, we create a living barrier. If an elephant touches the fence and disturbs the bees, it will retreat, thus helping prevent crop damage," Antonio explained. Antonio also noted that the project provides alternative economic opportunities, reducing the reliance on unsustainable practices such as poaching and illegal logging within protected areas. "With sustainable sources of income, communities are less likely to engage in illegal wildlife hunting," he added. Mozambican Secretary of State for Marine Affairs and Fisheries Momade Juizo emphasized the project's social impact, noting that about 500,000 households are expected to benefit from it.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
China remains committed to int'l wetland conservation: official
VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe, July 28 (Xinhua) -- China remains committed to the protection of international wetlands and to fostering global partnerships through technological exchange and joint conservation efforts, a senior Chinese official said Sunday. Xia Jun, director general of the International Cooperation Department at China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration, made the remarks at a side event during the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, currently underway in the resort city of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Speaking at the session focused on accelerating global action for mangrove and wetland conservation, Xia emphasized the ecological importance of wetlands and underscored the need for strong international cooperation to ensure their protection. "This profound understanding underpins China's unwavering commitment to its conservation," he stressed. To advance international efforts in mangrove conservation and sustainable use, China launched the International Mangrove Center (IMC) in the southern city of Shenzhen in November 2024. Xia described the IMC as a landmark initiative that reflects the spirit of global cooperation. China remains steadfast in its commitment to sharing knowledge, technological innovations, and training expertise, while embracing the opportunity to learn from global counterparts, he said. "Only through such concerted, collaborative action can we secure these indispensable ecosystems, ensuring they continue to provide vital services for both nature and humanity for generations to come," Xia added.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
Traditional ethnic crafts find new life via modern twists
An exhibitor (R) makes cultural and creative products with visitors during the 9th Inner Mongolia Cultural Industry Expo in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, July 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng) HOHHOT (July 28): Located on the main street of China's only Russian ethnic township, Enhe, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Wang Xiufen's cafe exudes a warm, woody aroma. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the earthy smell of wood, drifting from a weathered log cabin — a traditional Russian-style house. Step inside, and the eye is drawn to vibrant textiles: handwoven tapestries, colorful crocheted wall hangings, and intricate woolen ornaments, all crafted by Wang herself. For Wang, an inheritor of Russian ethnic textile craftsmanship, this cafe is more than a business. It's a window for showcasing her ethnic traditions. 'Weaving was once passed down through generations in my family, but young people weren't interested,' Wang said. 'Now, they come for coffee, snap photos of these decorations, which are perfect for sharing on social media, and suddenly, they want to know more and even learn.' Across the diverse ethnic communities in Inner Mongolia, many traditional craft inheritors are wrapping their cherished culture in new contexts to make heritage feel not like a relic, but a living, breathing part of the present. A short walk away in Enhe, another custodian of tradition is reimagining her craft. Fu Yanmei has spent over 20 years making lieba, a Chinese transliteration of the Russian word for bread, and her bakery, once a quiet local staple, now buzzes with activity. Years ago, she launched a DIY lieba program, inviting visitors to shape the dough themselves. But Fu doesn't just let them bake — she tells them about lieba's history and how it's made with natural sourdough, no additives. Young tourists, she noted, make up most of the participants. 'Tasting their own baked lieba is a joy they remember.' Further east, in Oroqen Autonomous Banner near the Greater Khingan Mountains, the Oroqen people, one of China's smallest ethnic groups, are also breathing new life into their heritage. In the old days, they crafted canoes, cradles, baskets, and other tools and vessels from birch bark, prized for its waterproof and durable qualities. Today, at the Oroqen intangible cultural heritage museum, Meng Shuling, a master of birch bark craftsmanship, showcases these traditional items and her modern reinventions. Her workshop showcases delicate birch bark earrings, glossy fridge magnets, and tiny cradle-shaped pendants, all pieces that marry the material's natural texture with contemporary tastes. 'The old ways can't stay locked in the past,' Meng said, running a finger over a birch bark jewelry box. Beyond these grassroots efforts, institutional support is also fueling the revival of traditional crafts. Since 2023, Inner Mongolia's institute of culture and tourism development, in collaboration with several universities, has launched a program to revitalize intangible cultural heritage by harnessing the creativity of the younger generation. This initiative encourages students to draw inspiration from intangible heritage elements to create digital illustrations, IP characters, and fashion designs. To date, it has yielded more than 300 pieces of intangible heritage-themed cultural and creative design drafts and handicrafts. 'Young people want things they can wear, display and cherish daily. That's how we keep the skill alive,' Meng said. – Xinhua China ethnic handicraft traditional crafts
