By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com

A passenger ferry carrying hundreds of people caught fire at sea off the coast of Sulawesi island in Indonesia on Sunday, resulting in at least five confirmed deaths, including a pregnant woman. More than 280 individuals have been rescued, with chaotic scenes unfolding as terrified passengers jumped into the water to escape the inferno.

The vessel, identified as the KM Barcelona 5, was en route to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, from the island district of Talaud when flames erupted in the afternoon near Talise Island. Videos circulated on social media showed thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the burning ship’s upper decks, prompting panicked passengers, many wearing life jackets, to leap into the choppy waters below.

Vice Admiral Denih Hendrata, commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command, confirmed that 284 passengers and crew members had been successfully evacuated by a coordinated rescue effort involving three navy ships, other rescue agencies, and local fishermen who rushed to the scene. Rescuers have so far retrieved five bodies, and authorities cautioned that the death toll could still rise as investigations continue.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Maritime accidents are a frequent and tragic occurrence in Indonesia, an archipelago nation heavily reliant on ferries for inter-island transportation, often attributed to lax safety standards and unpredictable weather conditions. Evacuation efforts were reported to be ongoing as night fell, with the immediate priority being to ensure no one was left adrift at sea.