On July 20, 2025, a deadly fire broke out aboard the KM Barcelona 5, an Indonesian ferry en route to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province. The fire, which erupted near the stern of the vessel, resulted in at least five confirmed deaths, according to Indonesia's Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla). Two of the victims had not yet been identified at the time of the agency's statement.
The incident unfolded approximately one hour from the popular tourist town of Likupang, located at the northern tip of Sulawesi island. The ferry was reportedly carrying around 280 passengers. Dramatic video footage captured the moment when panicked passengers, many with life jackets on, jumped overboard into the sea to escape the growing inferno. These chilling visuals quickly went viral on social media platforms, particularly TikTok.
Authorities reported that 284 individuals were successfully evacuated, many of whom were rescued by nearby fishermen and transported to nearby islands. Those who sustained injuries were promptly taken to the nearest health facilities.
According to George Leo Mercy Randang, head of the Manado search and rescue agency, the priority was to rescue as many people as possible before nightfall. Video released by the agency showed emergency responders using water hoses to douse the flames, while thick plumes of black smoke continued to rise from the ferry.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Neither Bakamla nor local authorities have offered a conclusive explanation for what sparked the blaze.
The ferry, KM Barcelona 5, was on its regular route and expected to dock at Manado Port before the fire disrupted its journey. In the chaos, passengers were seen donning life vests, making emergency calls, and helping one another flee the vessel. Videos captured by passengers who had already jumped into the water show a surreal scene of fear, confusion, and desperation.
One particular clip posted by a TikTok user named Soalunsrat shows passengers frantically securing their life jackets while others attempt to make urgent calls. In the background, the thick smoke from the ferry looms as a dark reminder of how quickly the situation escalated.
This incident comes just weeks after another maritime disaster in the country, where at least 19 people were killed when a ferry sank off the coast of Bali. The string of maritime tragedies has sparked concern among both domestic and international observers over the safety standards of ferry operations in Indonesia, an archipelago nation that heavily relies on sea transport.
The accident serves as a grim reminder of the risks associated with inter-island travel, particularly when safety protocols are not strictly enforced or when vessels are aged and prone to mechanical faults. It is still unclear whether KM Barcelona 5 had a history of mechanical issues or passed recent safety inspections.
Indonesia’s ferry services are often the most affordable and accessible means of travel for many locals, especially in regions where air travel remains expensive or impractical. However, such incidents have highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of maritime safety regulations and more frequent inspections of passenger vessels.
Investigations are ongoing to determine whether negligence, mechanical failure, or other factors were involved. For now, authorities continue to monitor the situation and are working to provide support to survivors and the families of the deceased.
This tragedy is a stark call for better safety standards and enforcement in Indonesia’s maritime sector before more lives are lost to preventable disasters.
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