Ferry Bursts into Flames with 280 Passengers Onboard, Forcing Many to Jump into the Sea to Escape Inferno
A fire tore through a ferry carrying 280 passengers while off the coast of Indonesia on Sunday, July 20
Footage shared on social media shows passengers leaping into the sea to escape the inferno
At least one person has died amid the blaze, according to local news outlet Jakarta GlobeAt 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.
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
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.
Read the original article on People
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Stranded wild elephant rescued from reservoir with excavator in Thailand
A wild elephant wandering through forest in Chumphon, Thailand fell into a 30ft-deep reservoir. A nearby animal sanctuary found the animal struggling to stay afloat on July 19 and called rescuers, who brought an excavator to free it.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
When Are August 2025 VA Benefit Payments Coming?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Millions of American veterans are set to receive their monthly disability compensation in August. Why It Matters About 6.2 million veterans in the United States receive disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These payments, which are issued monthly and are not taxed, go to veterans with service-connected disabilities—conditions that either began or worsened during their military service. The program also offers support to surviving relatives of deceased service members, including spouses, dependent children and parents. When Are VA Benefits Paid in August? In August, benefits are scheduled to be paid on the 29th, according to Veterans Guide. Following on from the August disbursement, further payments are expected on these dates: Wednesday, October 1, for September Friday, October 31, for October Monday, December 1, for November Wednesday, December 31, for December Those whose VA disability payments do not arrive as scheduled should contact the veterans benefits hotline at 800-827-1000, which is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. They can also visit their nearest VA benefits office for in-person support. Stock image/file photo: U.S. veterans badges for the Air Force, Navy, Army and Marines. Stock image/file photo: U.S. veterans badges for the Air Force, Navy, Army and Marines. GETTY How Much Can You Get? The amount of compensation a veteran receives is determined primarily by two factors: their VA-assigned disability rating and whether they have dependents—such as a spouse, children or parents. Disability ratings are issued in 10 percent increments—10 percent, 20 percent and so forth—and the higher the rating, the larger the monthly compensation. When multiple service-connected conditions exist, the VA calculates a combined disability rating to determine the final benefit amount. Every qualifying veteran is entitled to a base level of compensation. For instance, those with a 10 percent rating receive $175.51 per month, while a 20 percent rating increases that to $346.95. Veterans who receive the maximum rating of 100 percent and have a spouse, one child and two dependent parents are eligible for the highest standard monthly benefit of $4,544.23. Additional amounts may be paid for extra children or other qualifying dependents. You can view a full breakdown of benefit amounts on the VA website. Who Qualifies for VA Benefits? The VA recognizes numerous medical issues as grounds for receiving disability benefits. Physical health problems that may qualify include these: Chronic back issues tied to a diagnosed condition Respiratory difficulties resulting from lung disease Significant hearing impairment Scarring from surgery or injury Limited movement or mobility Ulcers Cancers or other illnesses caused by exposure to toxins or hazardous environments Mental health conditions may also be eligible, such as these: Anxiety disorders and depression Post-traumatic stress disorder Traumatic brain injuries Conditions resulting from military sexual trauma According to Veterans Guide, some of the most frequently cited conditions for VA disability include tinnitus, PTSD, hearing loss and mobility-impairing injuries.
CNN
a day ago
- CNN
A smartwatch led rescuers to a fatal plane crash in Montana woods
The dense forests near West Yellowstone, Montana, concealed the wreckage of a small plane until an unlikely beacon — a smartwatch worn by one of the victims — helped search-and-rescue crews locate the crash site, officials said Monday. Responding crews found all three people aboard the aircraft dead, the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. The victims were Rodney Conover, 60, and Madison Conover, 23, both of Tennessee, and Kurt Enoch Robey, 55, of Utah, according to the office. The plane departed from West Yellowstone Airport on Thursday, just before midnight, but never reached its destination, the sheriff's office said. On Friday afternoon, West Yellowstone Dispatch received a call from the US Department of Tranportation's Aero Division alerting local authorities that the aircraft's location was unknown. Minutes later, two planes were sent to search for the missing aircraft and, guided by location data from a smartwatch worn by one of the passengers, found the crash site just south of the town of West Yellowstone, the sheriff's office said. The search planes spotted the wreckage from air, describing it as 'crashed in dense timber,' the office said. Ground crews navigated the rugged wilderness to reach the site. Responders confirmed all three occupants had died. Their remains were airlifted and turned over to the county coroner. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash. CNN has reached out to both agencies for comment. Weather in the area at the time included gusty winds and chilly overnight temperatures. Sheriff Dan Springer extended his 'deepest condolences' to the victims' families.
