Fire Erupts on Indonesian Ferry; Rescue Efforts Ongoing

On July 20, a blaze broke out on the passenger ferry KM Barcelona VA while it was sailing through the Celebes Sea near Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. At the time of the fire, around 300 individuals were reportedly aboard the vessel. Tragically, five fatalities have been confirmed so far.

The fire is believed to have started on the ferry’s upper deck. Dense black smoke billowed from the ship as the flames quickly spread. The growing danger forced both crew and passengers to evacuate the vessel to escape the blaze.

The Indonesian Navy responded promptly, launching a large-scale search and rescue mission with support from the Coast Guard and local fishermen. As of now, 284 people have been safely rescued. The operation continues as authorities search for any passengers who may still be unaccounted for.

The ferry remained afloat following the incident and was eventually towed. While the fire has been extinguished, the official cause has not yet been identified or released.