Pregnant Woman Among Five Dead After Indonesian Ferry Catches Fire

A tragic ferry fire off the coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia, has claimed the lives of at least five individuals, including a pregnant woman, officials confirmed.

The incident occurred on Sunday as the ferry KM Barcelona VA was making its way from the Talaud Islands to Manado, the provincial capital. Around midday local time, flames suddenly broke out on board, triggering panic among the more than 280 passengers reportedly onboard. Many were seen leaping into the sea, clad in bright orange life vests, as thick smoke filled the air.

Evacuation Efforts Underway

Indonesian Fleet Command chief Denih Hendrata stated that 284 people had been successfully evacuated with the help of three navy ships and nearby fishing boats. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, as the actual number of passengers remains unclear.

Authorities often struggle with passenger manifest discrepancies in Indonesia, where overloading is a recurring issue. By Monday afternoon, rescuers had managed to pull 575 people from the sea—more than double the number listed on the ferry’s manifest, which cited 280 passengers and 15 crew.

Among the Victims

One of the victims confirmed so far is a pregnant woman, according to Nuriadin Gumeleng, a spokesperson from the Manado Search and Rescue Office. “Her body has been brought to shore,” Gumeleng said. The identities of the remaining victims have not yet been made public.

A 2-month-old infant was among the rescued and is recovering after ingesting seawater. Medical teams report the baby is now in stable condition.

A Scene of Panic at Sea

Footage from the incident, posted to Facebook by passenger Abdul Rahmad Agu, captures the terror on board. In a distressed voice, he pleads: “We’re burning at sea… we need help… quickly…” Speaking later to local media, Agu recalled the chaos. “Everyone started to panic. Smoke was thick at the back of the boat, and the fishermen helped get the children off first,” he said.

Cause Still Unknown

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. With rescue teams still on the scene, authorities are working to determine the total number of casualties and the full scope of the disaster.