Fire Engulfs Indonesian Ferry, Five Confirmed Dead, Hundreds Rescued

A tragic fire on the KM Barcelona 5 ferry claimed at least five lives on June 17, 2023, as it was engulfed in flames off the coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The incident prompted a swift rescue operation that successfully evacuated over 280 passengers, many of whom jumped into the sea to escape the inferno.

The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency, known as Bakamla, reported that two of the deceased individuals remain unidentified. The agency confirmed that a total of 284 people were evacuated safely, while emergency responders worked diligently to provide assistance to those injured.

Details of the Incident

The fire broke out at the ferry’s stern while it was en route to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province. As the flames spread, frightened passengers donned life jackets and leapt overboard. Local fishermen played a crucial role in the evacuation efforts, transporting victims to nearby islands for safety.

George Leo Mercy Randang, head of the Manado search and rescue agency, indicated that the incident occurred approximately one hour from the resort town of Likupang. A video released by the agency displayed a Bakamla vessel spraying water on the ferry, which continued to emit black smoke. “What is important is that we are prioritising rescue before nightfall,” Randang stated, without confirming the total number of passengers onboard.

As of now, Bakamla has not disclosed the cause of the fire. Such maritime accidents in Indonesia, an archipelago comprising around 17,000 islands, are not uncommon. Contributing factors often include lax safety standards and adverse weather conditions.

Previous Maritime Incidents

This latest tragedy follows another deadly incident just weeks ago, where a ferry sank near Bali, resulting in at least 19 fatalities. The authorities attributed that sinking to bad weather, highlighting ongoing concerns about safety in maritime travel within the region.

In March of this year, another boat capsized off Bali, leading to the death of an Australian woman and injuring at least one other passenger. The frequency of such accidents raises alarms regarding safety protocols and regulations in Indonesia’s maritime industry.

In 2018, a particularly devastating accident occurred when a ferry sank in one of the world’s deepest lakes on Sumatra Island, resulting in the drowning of over 150 individuals.

As investigations continue into the cause of the fire on the KM Barcelona 5, the focus remains on the survivors and the urgent need to enhance safety measures within Indonesia’s ferry services to prevent future tragedies.