Latest news with #Sulawesi
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Indonesia's recurring tragedy: deadly boat fire fuels urgent reform calls
A deadly ferry fire in Indonesia has reignited calls for sweeping reform of its maritime transport sector, with analysts blaming overcapacity, ageing fleets and weak enforcement for a string of recent boat disasters across the sprawling archipelago nation of over 17,000 islands. . On Sunday afternoon, a ferry was carrying more than double its declared passenger capacity when it caught fire off Talise Island, off the coast of Sulawesi, forcing dozens to jump into the sea and killing at least five people, according to the country's Maritime Security Agency. The vessel KM Barcelona V was travelling from the remote Talaud Islands to Manado in North Sulawesi A viral video shows passengers plunging into the water as the fire engulfs the vessel. Manado's rescue agency said 571 people were on board despite the ferry's manifest listing just 280 passengers and 15 crew members. Including the fire on Sunday, Indonesia has recorded at least three boat disasters alone this month, in addition to a string of other similar incidents in previous years, in a country where ferries are often the only mode of transport available for inter-island connections. On July 14, a speedboat carrying 18 passengers capsized due to a four-metre high wave in the waters around Mentawai in West Sumatra. All passengers were safe after they swam for six hours to the nearest shore. Rinto Wardana Samaloisa, regent of Mentawai Islands, told state news agency Antara that the ship was 'over capacity' as it was only allowed to carry 10 passengers. The vessel also lacked a radio for communication, and it did not have the permit to sail from the harbour master on duty due to 'extreme weather'.
South China Morning Post
6 hours ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Hundreds rescued after Indonesia ferry fire kills at least five
An Indonesian ferry fire killed at least five people on July 20, 2025, the country's coastguard said. More than 200 others were saved, with many jumping overboard to escape the huge blaze. The KM Barcelona 5 ferry was engulfed in flames off the coast of Sulawesi island, according to Indonesia's Maritime Security Agency. The incident happened just weeks after at least 19 people were killed when a ferry sank off the popular Indonesian resort island of Bali.
Al Bawaba
a day ago
- General
- Al Bawaba
Video: Ferry fire leaves 3 killed near Sulawesi, Indonesia
Published July 21st, 2025 - 06:21 GMT ALBAWABA - Indonesian officials said on Monday that three people were killed and 568 others were saved after a huge fire that broke out at a ferry off the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. When the fire erupted on the ferry, passengers jumped into the sea to save their lives as they wore lifejackets. According to the Indonesian coast guard, the KM Barcelona 5 was heading to Manado when the fire broke out on Sunday. People jumping into the sea after a ferry fire near Sulawesi, Indonesia. (X) Videos were shared on social media showing huge smoke rising from the Indonesian ferry, and showing people jumping off the ship to save their lives. "Until now, the joint rescue team is still conducting the search and rescue operation because the data is still developing," Manado rescue agency head George Leo Mercy Randang said to AFP. George Leo Mercy Randang added, "Our post is still open 24 hours a day, in case families want to report about their missing relative." © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- General
- Al Jazeera
Fire on Indonesia ferry kills three, over 500 passengers jump to safety
Three people have died and more than 500 others have been rescued after a ferry caught fire off the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, emergency officials said. Passengers jumped overboard the KM Barcelona 5, as it sailed from Melonguane port in Talaud Islands district towards the city of Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, after the fire broke out on Sunday, said the Indonesian coastguard. Photos and videos circulated on social media showed terrified passengers, mostly wearing life jackets, jumping into the sea as orange flames and black smoke billowed from the burning vessel. A video released by the Manado rescue agency showed a coastguard vessel spraying water on the ferry, which was emitting black smoke. Indonesian authorities previously reported five people died in the accident, but later revised the death toll to three after two passengers initially reported as dead were saved in a hospital, including a two-month-old baby whose lungs were filled with seawater. At least 568 people were rescued from the ferry, the national search and rescue agency said in a statement on Monday. A coastguard ship, six rescue vessels and several inflatable boats were deployed in the rescue operation, Franky Pasuna Sihombing, chief of the Manado navy base, told The Associated Press news agency. According to officials, the blaze is believed to have started on the upper deck. 'Until now, the joint rescue team is still conducting the search and rescue operation because the data is still developing,' Manado rescue agency head George Leo Mercy Randang told the AFP news agency on Monday. 'Our post is still open 24 hours a day, in case families want to report about their missing relative.' One survivor described waking up to smoke filling the passenger deck. 'The air was full of smoke and everyone started panicking,' Johan Rumewo told Kompas TV after being evacuated to Manado port. 'I managed to grab a life jacket and jumped into the sea. I floated for about an hour before being rescued.' The ferry's log had registered only 280 passengers and 15 crew on board. Local media reported that the ship had a capacity for 600 people. Marine accidents are a regular occurrence in the Southeast Asian archipelago of about 17,000 islands, in part due to lax safety standards or bad weather. Sunday's fire came just weeks after another ferry sank off the popular resort island of Bali due to bad weather, killing at least 19 people. In March, a boat carrying 16 people capsized in rough waters off Bali, killing an Australian woman and injuring another person. In 2018, more than 150 people drowned when a ferry sank in one of the world's deepest lakes on Sumatra Island.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Indonesia ferry fire kills three, more than 500 rescued
Three people died and more than 500 others were rescued after a ferry caught fire off the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, emergency officials said Monday. Passengers jumped overboard with lifejackets after the fire broke out on Sunday at the stern of the KM Barcelona 5, as it sailed to Manado, according to the Indonesian coast guard. A video released by the Manado rescue agency showed a coast guard vessel spraying water on the ferry, which was emitting black smoke. Indonesian authorities previously reported five people died in the accident, but later revised the death toll to three. "Until now, the joint rescue team is still conducting the search and rescue operation because the data is still developing," Manado rescue agency head George Leo Mercy Randang told AFP on Monday. "Our post is still open 24 hours a day, in case families want to report about their missing relative." At least 568 people were rescued from the ferry and water while three others were found dead, the national search and rescue agency said in a statement Monday. The ferry's log had only registered 280 passengers and 15 crew on board. Local media reported that the ship had a capacity for 600 people. Marine accidents are a regular occurrence in the Southeast Asian archipelago of around 17,000 islands, in part due to lax safety standards or bad weather. Sunday's fire came just weeks after another ferry sank off the popular resort island of Bali due to bad weather, killing at least 19 people. In March, a boat carrying 16 people capsized in rough waters off Bali, killing an Australian woman and injuring at least one other person. And in 2018, more than 150 people drowned when a ferry sank in one of the world's deepest lakes on Sumatra Island. dsa/ebe/dhw
