On Sunday, a devastating fire aboard a passenger vessel in Indonesia's North Sulawesi province led to the loss of at least three lives, while more than 200 passengers were aboard.
Passenger Ship Fire Claims Lives in North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Passenger Ship Fire Claims Lives in North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Tragic incident aboard the KM Barcelona 5 raises safety concerns in Indonesia's ferry transport system.
In the early hours of Sunday, the KM Barcelona 5 was en route from the Talaud Islands to Manado when disaster struck near Talise. Vice Adm. Denih Hendrata, leader of the Indonesian Fleet Command, confirmed the unfortunate news. Eyewitness video footage depicted a rescue operation, with black smoke billowing from the ship as passengers donned life jackets and awaited help in the water.
The Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) was called to action, putting multiple rescue boats into service to assist the vessel. Approximately 280 individuals were on board at the time of the fire, and though rescue efforts were underway, BASARNAS noted that the total number of casualties, injuries, or missing persons was still unknown.
Investigators have yet to ascertain the cause of the fire or identify the operating company behind the KM Barcelona 5. This tragic incident comes amidst ongoing concerns about ferry safety in Indonesia, a nation comprised of over 17,000 islands where passenger ship travel remains a common mode of transport. Earlier this month, another maritime tragedy occurred when the KMT Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry sank en route to Bali, resulting in five confirmed deaths and 29 individuals still missing.
In the wake of these incidents, the Indonesian government faces mounting pressure to enhance maritime safety regulations and prevent further tragedies on the waterways.
The Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) was called to action, putting multiple rescue boats into service to assist the vessel. Approximately 280 individuals were on board at the time of the fire, and though rescue efforts were underway, BASARNAS noted that the total number of casualties, injuries, or missing persons was still unknown.
Investigators have yet to ascertain the cause of the fire or identify the operating company behind the KM Barcelona 5. This tragic incident comes amidst ongoing concerns about ferry safety in Indonesia, a nation comprised of over 17,000 islands where passenger ship travel remains a common mode of transport. Earlier this month, another maritime tragedy occurred when the KMT Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry sank en route to Bali, resulting in five confirmed deaths and 29 individuals still missing.
In the wake of these incidents, the Indonesian government faces mounting pressure to enhance maritime safety regulations and prevent further tragedies on the waterways.
