What Caused Deadly Fire on KM Barcelona 5 Ferry in Indonesia?

A massive fire broke out on the KM Barcelona 5 ferry off Talise Island in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on July 20. The ferry was travelling from the Talaud Islands to Manado with hundreds on board. Within minutes, smoke and flames forced passengers to jump into the sea. At least three people died. Rescue efforts saved over 500 people.

What Is the Reason Behind the Fire?

The fire started at the rear of the ship around midday. Witnesses say thick black smoke quickly filled the ferry. Some passengers saw sparks before the flames appeared. Others said they heard a loud noise before the fire spread. Many believe the fire started in the engine room.

A Facebook livestream by passenger Abdul Rahmad Agu showed the chaos onboard. He jumped into the sea with a baby in one arm while calling for help. Other videos showed dozens of people floating in the ocean as the ferry burned behind them.

More from the ferry fire off the coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia today. Thank goodness this little one is OK.

ALWAYS wear a lifejacket!

A fire broke out around 1:30 p.m. local time today on the KM Barcelona VA ferry off the coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The… pic.twitter.com/egfvZMMLva

— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) July 20, 2025

Officials are still investigating the cause. Early reports suggest an electrical short circuit may have triggered the blaze. Fuel leakage and engine failure are also being looked at. A mechanical inspection was scheduled for the ferry, but it was delayed due to a storm the day before. That delay might have played a role in the fire.

One passenger, Alwina Inang, said someone shouted about fire coming from the back of the ferry. People panicked and rushed to grab life jackets. “We had no time. We jumped into the sea,” she said. A few passengers live-streamed the fire as they waited in the water for help.

Another key issue is overcrowding. The ferry’s manifest listed 280 passengers and 15 crew. But rescuers ended up evacuating 568 people. This raises questions about ticket checks and safety measures. Overloading has caused many past accidents in Indonesia’s ferry system.

What’s the Latest Update?

Rescue teams from the navy, coast guard, and local fishermen acted fast. Six ships and several small boats were deployed. First Admiral Franky Pasuna Sihombing confirmed that three people died, including a pregnant woman. A two-month-old baby was also rescued and treated for water intake.

The fire is now under control. Search teams are checking nearby waters to ensure no one is missing. The ferry has been towed to a safe location. Survivors were taken to Manado and nearby islands for medical care and support.

Authorities have launched a full investigation. They are reviewing the ferry’s maintenance records and crew actions. There is growing public pressure for better safety checks on passenger ferries. Transport officials say changes will be made to prevent similar accidents.

This incident has renewed concerns about ferry safety in Indonesia. Earlier in July, another ferry sank near Bali, killing at least 19 people. As an island nation, Indonesia depends on sea transport. But weak regulation and old vessels put thousands of lives at risk.

The KM Barcelona 5 case has exposed serious gaps in safety enforcement. Officials now face urgent calls to improve standards before more lives are lost at sea.

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