Indonesia ferry fire kills 5, rescues over 500 in North Sulawesi

A passenger ferry, KM Barcelona 5, caught fire off the coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia, resulting in at least three confirmed deaths and two missing persons, with over 570 people rescued. The fire started around midday on July 20, 2025, near Talise Island while the ferry was traveling from Melonguane to Manado. Rescue operations involved coast guard ships, rescue vessels, inflatable boats, and local fishermen who helped save passengers, many of whom jumped into the sea wearing life jackets to escape the flames. The ferry’s manifest initially listed far fewer passengers than the actual number on board, a common issue in Indonesia that complicates rescue efforts. Authorities confirmed the fire was extinguished within an hour, though the cause remains under investigation. Indonesia, an archipelago where ferry travel is common, faces frequent maritime incidents often linked to lax safety enforcement and overcrowding.