On Sunday, a major fire broke out aboard a ferry off the coast of Sulawesi, forcing passengers and crew to abandon ship into the water.
Around noon (12:00–13:00), flames erupted on the upper decks of the ferry Barcelona V while it was sailing near Talisei Island, en route to Manado City at the northeastern tip of Sulawesi. Passengers evacuated to the weather decks as the fire spread inside the vessel. As the flames intensified, they jumped overboard. Footage from the scene shows liferafts still secured in their cradles and hundreds of people in the water.
**TRAGEDY IN NORTH SULAWESI WATERS?? KM BARCELONA 5 ENGULFED IN FIRE, 3 PASSENGERS DEAD**
**MINAHASA UTARA** – Passenger ship KM Barcelona 5, traveling from Talaud to Manado, caught fire while passing through Gangga waters, North Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi, on Saturday afternoon (2025).… /Xbx4IpcmJQ
— Khatulistiwa Indonesia (@Meta80ki) July 20, 2025
The Indonesian Navy, Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), Good Samaritan vessels, and local search and rescue (SAR) teams responded. According to the commander of a nearby naval station, 280 passengers were rescued, but three died during the evacuation. The Manado SAR office confirmed one of the deceased was a pregnant woman.
The fire consumed the vessel’s upper decks before being extinguished later that day. Rescuers are combing the wreckage for any remaining victims.
**Passenger ship KMP Barcelona 5 reportedly caught fire today in the waters of Salise, North Sulawesi, Tojo Una-Una Regency. Hundreds of victims jumped into the sea to save themselves. #shipfire #kmpbarcelona #burningshipinsulawesi /s0MZ3E47CD**
— mahkota99 (@tentaralangit99) July 20, 2025
**EMERGENCY IN TALISE WATERS: INDONESIAN NAVY EVACUATES KM BARCELONA VA FROM RAGING FIRE**
**Jalesveva Jayamahe,**
**Jakarta, July 20, 2025** – Indonesian Navy personnel swiftly assisted in evacuating victims after a fire broke out aboard Motor Vessel (KM) Barcelona VA in Talise waters on Sunday afternoon (20/7).
— Radio Elshinta (@RadioElshinta) July 20, 2025
**Breaking!**
**Barcelona 5 Ship Catches Fire in Talise Waters, Passengers Panic & Jump Overboard (2025)**
**????North Minahasa Regency**
**????: Moments of passengers leaping into the sea in panic as flames engulfed the ship. One pregnant passenger reported dead. /eL7LCxbSuM**
— Miss Tweet | (@Heraloebss) July 20, 2025
Ferry accidents are not uncommon in Indonesia, where island communities heavily rely on passenger vessels for transportation. A large domestic fleet and relatively lax safety standards contribute to frequent incidents. Earlier this month, a local ferry sank off Bali in rough seas, claiming 16 lives.
