A vessel carrying 280 passengers suddenly caught fire fiercely off the coast of North Sulawesi province, causing many people to panic and jump into the sea.
According to the CNA television channel, the ill-fated ship named KM Barcelona 5 was transporting 280 passengers on its journey to the city of Manado in North Sulawesi province, Indonesia.
Confirming the incident, Mr. Jerry Harmonsina, secretary of the North Sulawesi Regional Disaster Management Agency, stated that the fire on the passenger ship occurred off the coast of Talise Island, North Sulawesi.
Local authorities have not yet reported casualties or damages from the accident.
“Rescue operations are being carried out in coordination with the Navy, the National Search and Rescue Agency, the Coast Guard, and local fishermen,” Mr. Jerry said.
Many videos circulating on TikTok show thick black smoke rising and engulfing the ship, with numerous passengers quickly jumping into the sea to escape the fire.
Other images capture people on the ship hurriedly putting on life jackets, with many in panic calling for help.