Breaking news: Social Media in Bali is abuzz with horrific videos, widely shared by imperiled passengers aboard the Indonesian inter-island passenger ship KM Barcelona 5, which was sailing on a voyage from Talaud Island to Manado, North Sulawesi.
The latest maritime tragedy occurred as part of a continuing chain of major passenger and ferry ship calamities that have been unfolding across the Indonesian archipelago.
The location of the ship’s blaze is some 1,650 kilometers distance from the Island of Bali.
The ship caught fire at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, 20 July 2025, near Talise Island, North Minahasa, causing widespread panic among the passengers, as seen in videos of people jumping into the ocean.
Initial reports state that five people died in the mishap among an estimated 280 passengers and 15 crew members traveling on board the vessel. One of the dead was a woman in the 38th week of pregnancy. An unspecified number suffered burns and other injuries.
Search and rescue (SAR) teams report that all surviving passengers and crew have now been evacuated to shore. The fire has been extinguished, and the ship remains afloat.
As reported by Kompas.com, one passenger, Alwina Inand, who is the wife of the head of the Traffic Police on Talaud Island, Christian M, said the fire and resulting tragedy developed at a rapid rate.” At around noon, someone at the back section of the ship screamed ‘fire.’ We immediately panicked,” she said, as quoted by the State News Agency Antara.
When the fire broke out, most of the passengers were engaged in eating lunch or taking a midday nap. At the time, Alwina was eating lunch with the family of the Chief of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Talaud Police, when she suddenly saw thick smoke pouring from the ship’s bridge. She and others wasted no time in donning life jackets and jumping into the ocean to escape the fast-developing inferno.
A Search and Rescue Team (SAR) immediately went into action to evacuate the passengers from the KM Barcelona 5 to nearby Gangga Island.
Alwina, together with tens of fellow passengers, escapes the growing flames and dense smoke by jumping into the sea. Reports state that passengers, wearing ship-supplied life vests, swam in the open ocean for around one hour awaiting rescue by SAR personnel.
Continuing to describe her ordeal, Alwina said: “We are now on Serei Island, North Minahasa, together with about 50 rescued passengers. Several of the survivors have been fetched by ambulance.”
Videos recorded by passengers fleeing the burning ship showed passengers floating in their life vests against a backdrop formed by the burning ship, where passengers were jumping from elevated heights into the ocean.
The Warship KRI Paar 849, Naval Vessel Tedung Selar, personnel and vessels from the Naval Command Base Lantamal VIII/Manado, and members of Manado’s fishing fleet all join the rescue/effort.
When the fire commenced, the KM Barcelona 5 was on a voyage from Taluad Island to the City of Manado in North Sulawesi. The fire began on the main deck of the ship.
KM Barcelona 5 is a passenger vessel that operates several routes in North Sulawesi.
KM Barcelona 5, officially registered as KM Gregorius Barcelona V, is owned and operated by PT Surya Pacific Indonesia (SPI) as a low-cost means of inter-island travel and cargo transportation, primarily in northern and northeastern Indonesia. The ship is 67 meters long, 8.9 meters wide, and has a gross tonnage of 959 tons.
SPI operates several vessels, including KM Barcelona I, II, III, VA, KM Marina Bay I, and KM Venecian. The company’s ships serve ports in North Sulawesi (Manado) and Maluku (Ternate and Sanana), as well as routes to Talaud, Tahuna, Sitaro, Sofifi, Kawasi, and Buano.
Police and maritime investigations continue.
Related Links
Scores Feared Lost in Sinking of Java to Bali Ferry
Bali Boating Accident Claims Life of Australian Woman
Boat Collision Kills German at Nusa Penida
Captain Burnt in Bali Excursion Boat Fire
Criminal Charges in Sinking of Kebo Iwa
Java-Bali Ferry Runs Aground Near Gilimanuk
Blazing Ferry Abandoned in Bali Straits
At Least 6 Dead in W. Bali Ferry Disaster
Java-Bali Ferry Runs Aground in West Bali
Lombok-Bali Ferry Aground at Padangbai Port
Ship Fire in E. Bali: 5 Die & Scores Burnt
Stay Informed on Bali Tourism-Related News: Subscribe to Bali Update
