Passengers Forced to Jump into the Sea After Ferry Bursts into Flames

At least one person has died and the death toll is expected to rise after a ferry burst into flames off the coast of Indonesia.

On Sunday, July 20, the KM Barcelona VA vessel was traveling between the Talaud Islands and Manado when it caught fire at approximately 12:00 p.m. local time, near Talisei Island, local news outlets IDN Times and Jakarta Globe reported.

The ferry was carrying 280 passengers at the time of the blaze, according to the outlets. The cause of the fire has not been disclosed at this time.

In harrowing footage posted on X, passengers can be seen jumping off the burning boat into the sea while wearing life jackets as flames and thick black smoke arise from the top of the ship. Screams and cries can be heard as several people float in the water waiting to be rescued.

One person has died in the incident, IDN Times reported. It is not yet known whether the person died in the inferno or drowned.

A passenger identified as Abdul Rahmad Agu showed himself holding a toddler after escaping the ferry in a Facebook livestream while calling for help.

In another video shared on X, the fire can be seen blazing through the inside of the ferry on the upper deck. Passengers on the lower level scrambled to get their belongings in what appeared to be a sleeping area.

The Manado Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP) sent three ships for rescue and evacuation, IDN Times reported. “There are KM Barcelona III, KM Venecian, and KM Cantika Lestari 9F,” the Manado KSOP officer told the outlet.

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Nuriadin Gumeleng, a spokesperson for the North Sulawesi Search and Rescue (SAR) Agency said rescued passengers are being brought to the nearby Ganga Island.

“Our operation is currently focused on locating and rescuing any remaining passengers who may still be aboard the vessel,” Nuriadin said, according to Jakarta Globe.

In footage shared by Indonesian outlet KOMPASTV, local fishing boats are seen rescuing some of the passengers in the waters following the incident. 

Passenger, Alwina Inang, alleged to the local news outlet Detik that she survived in the water for around an hour before being rescued.

“I was eating with the family of the Head of the Talaud Criminal Investigation Unit when suddenly flames of smoke entered the ship’s bridge,” said Alwina, who is the wife of the Head of Traffic Police of the Talaud Islands Police, Christian M, per Detik.

“We immediately jumped into the sea,” Alwina added.

It is not known how many casualties there are this time.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Coast Guard and the national police for comment.