On July 20, 2025, a sudden fire erupted aboard the KM Barcelona VA passenger ferry as it traversed the Celebes Sea off Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, en route from the Talaud Islands to Manado. The blaze, which began in the vessel’s upper‑deck superstructure, quickly engulfed the ferry in thick black smoke, forcing panicked passengers and crew to abandon ship by leaping into the choppy waters below.
The KM Barcelona VA departed with an estimated 300 passengers and crew on board, though manifest discrepancies are common in the region and may have left the exact number uncertain. Witnesses described a scene of chaos as orange flames flickered against the darkened hull and survivors clung to life vests while calling for help amid drifting debris.
Within minutes of the fire’s outbreak, Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), the Indonesian Navy and Coast Guard, local fishing vessels, and inflatable rescue boats converged on the site. Divers and medics worked in tandem to pull survivors from the water, with many taken to nearby islands for triage and treatment. By late afternoon, authorities reported 284 people rescued, including some suffering from smoke inhalation and minor burns.
Tragically, five bodies have been recovered so far, and officials continue to search for any additional missing persons. The ferry remained afloat after the flames were extinguished reportedly within an hour of the fire starting and was subsequently taken under tow to Manado for a detailed inspection of its damage and safety equipment.
First Admiral Franky Pasuna Sihombing, chief of the Manado navy base, told reporters that the fire likely ignited in the stern section but the exact cause remains under investigation. He praised the rapid mobilization of rescue assets but lamented the loss of life, emphasizing the need for stricter adherence to safety protocols and manifest accuracy on Indonesian passenger vessels.
Maritime safety experts note that Indonesia an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands relies heavily on ferries for inter‑island travel, yet weak enforcement of regulations and outdated vessels continue to contribute to frequent accidents and casualties. Just weeks earlier, on July 3, the ro‑ro ferry KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sank en route from Banyuwangi to Bali, killing at least six people and leaving dozens missing.
In response to the KM Barcelona VA disaster, BASARNAS and the Ministry of Transportation have announced a joint audit of all inter‑island passenger ferries operating in North Sulawesi. Proposed measures include mandatory real‑time fire detection systems, crew drills for rapid evacuation, and improved coordination between local fishing communities and official rescue agencies.
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Local NGOs and volunteers in Manado and surrounding ports have mobilized to provide counseling, temporary shelter, and medical aid to survivors and the families of the deceased. A makeshift family‑reunion center at the Manado harbor has been established to assist with identification efforts and to streamline communication for those awaiting news.
As search teams continue scouring remote islets and the sea floor for any remaining victims, investigators are also examining the vessel’s maintenance records, crew training logs, and life‑jacket inventory. While the initial rescue has concluded, the broader quest for accountability and enhanced maritime safety in Indonesia’s waters is only beginning.
Source : (www.marinetraffic.com)
