Ferry fire in Indonesia leaves three dead and over 560 rescued
Iain Hoey
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Ferry fire in North Sulawesi prompts major sea rescue operation
More than 560 people were rescued after a ferry caught fire en route to Manado, Indonesia, according to AP News.
The incident occurred around midday on Sunday, 20 July 2025, when the KM Barcelona 5 was travelling from Melonguane port in Talaud Islands district to North Sulawesi’s provincial capital.
First Admiral Franky Pasuna Sihombing, head of the Manado navy base, confirmed the vessel caught fire near the stern and was extinguished within an hour.
Three fatalities have been confirmed by Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, including a pregnant woman.
An initial passenger manifest recorded only 295 people aboard, but rescuers reported a total of 568 survivors recovered from the sea and surrounding islands.
Search effort involved coast guard, navy, and civilians
Sihombing stated that the response involved six rescue boats, one coast guard vessel and several inflatable craft.
Local fishermen helped recover passengers who had jumped into the sea.
Visuals shared on social media showed people leaping into the water while flames and smoke engulfed the vessel.
Rescue personnel transported survivors to nearby islands for medical care and shelter.
Some survivors, including a two-month-old infant, were hospitalised after inhaling seawater but were later confirmed alive.
Official manifest did not match actual passenger numbers
The ferry’s registered manifest recorded 280 passengers and 15 crew members.
The National Search and Rescue Agency later reported 568 people rescued and three confirmed dead.
According to Sihombing, discrepancies between manifests and actual passenger counts are frequent in Indonesia.
He said this issue often complicates search operations and poses safety risks.
The KM Barcelona 5 has a certified capacity of 600 people.
Ferry fire follows multiple maritime incidents this month
The fire is the third serious ferry or boat incident in Indonesia in July 2025.
On 14 July, a speedboat with 18 people capsized during a storm. All were rescued by the following day.
Earlier in the month, a separate ferry sank near Bali, causing 19 deaths and leaving 16 missing.
That operation lasted two weeks and involved navy ships, boats, a helicopter and over 600 personnel.
Authorities continue to investigate the KM Barcelona 5 incident.
Maritime travel remains common and risky across Indonesia
Ferries are a main mode of transport across Indonesia’s 17,000 islands.
According to AP News, accidents are frequent, often attributed to poor enforcement of safety regulations.
Overcrowding, irregular maintenance, and inaccurate manifests are recurring problems in maritime travel.
Government officials have acknowledged these gaps and say investigations are ongoing.
The latest incident highlights the persistent challenge of ferry safety in the region.
Ferry fire in Indonesia leaves three dead and over 560 rescued: Summary
A ferry fire occurred on 20 July 2025 during a journey from Melonguane to Manado, Indonesia.
The KM Barcelona 5 caught fire at sea and over 560 people were rescued.
The National Search and Rescue Agency confirmed three people died.
Initial reports mistakenly stated five deaths.
A two-month-old infant and one other passenger initially reported dead were found alive in hospital.
Rescue operations involved coast guard ships, six rescue vessels, and inflatable boats.
Local fishermen assisted by saving drifting passengers.
The ferry’s registered manifest listed 295 people aboard.
The final confirmed number of rescued passengers and crew was 568.
Discrepancies in passenger records are common in Indonesia.
The vessel’s certified capacity is 600 people.
This was the third maritime incident in Indonesia in July 2025.
Ferries are widely used due to Indonesia’s geography.
Weak enforcement of safety standards is often cited as a cause of such accidents.
Investigations into the KM Barcelona 5 fire are ongoing.