At least three people were confirmed dead and two others still missing after the KM Barcelona V, a passenger ferry, caught fire in the waters off Talisei Island, North Minahasa, North Sulawesi, on Sunday afternoon, July 20, 2025. 

Authorities say 571 passengers have been rescued in a large-scale emergency operation involving civilians, the military, and search and rescue agencies.

Search and rescue (SAR) teams, assisted by local fishermen and Indonesian Navy personnel, continued combing the area on Monday, July 21, 2025 amid thick smoke that still shrouds the vessel’s interior.

"This morning, we received reports of two missing passengers: Levi Aiba and Hamen Langinan. We are still verifying whether they were previously evacuated or not," Nuriadin Gumelang, a spokesman for Manado-based Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), spoke from Kendari.

The three fatalities were identified as Hugu Majuntu, Daniel Lena, and Betrivia Malimbulun, who reportedly died not from burns, but after jumping into the sea during the chaotic evacuation. Malimbulun was heavily pregnant at the time.

The cause of the blaze, which engulfed the ferry’s upper deck around 1:30 p.m. local time, is still under investigation. North Sulawesi Governor Yulius Selvanus said that the fire might have started in cabin 33, but emphasized the need for a formal verification.

KM Barcelona V was on a routine voyage from Talaud to Manado when the incident occurred near Likupang Barat, approximately 50 kilometers away from Manado.

According to eyewitnesses and social media footage, thick black smoke and visible flames were seen coming from the ship’s upper deck. Survivors shared emotional livestreams on Facebook, with one video capturing desperate cries for help: “Please help, KM Barcelona V is on fire. There are still many people inside!,” user Abdul Rahman Agu said.

The Indonesian Navy’s 4th Naval Education Unit, which was conducting training exercises nearby, swiftly deployed its personnel upon receiving distress calls. Two Navy vessels KRI Pari-849 and KAL Tedung Selar were dispatched to assist in the SAR efforts.

Additional aid came from civilian ferries KM Barcelona IIIA and KM Venecian, which diverted course to help evacuate passengers, many of whom had jumped overboard to escape the flames.

Survivors Recovering, Search Continues

Survivors were evacuated to two key locations: Munte Port (Likupang Timur) and Bakamla Serey Pier (Likupang Barat). Injured victims were taken to Walanda Maramis Regional Hospital, Kandouw Malalayang General Hospital, and ODSK Regional Hospital in Manado and North Minahasa.

While most of the 571 rescued passengers are in good health, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of more victims remaining onboard or missing at sea.

PT Surya Pacific Indonesia, the owner of the KM Barcelona V, remains focused on caring for the victims, including those rushed to hospitals, survivors, and those who died.

Ridwan Fallugah, Public Relations Officer at PT Surya Pacific Indonesia, stated that the company is providing coffins for the deceased to facilitate repatriation to their families.

"We are also facilitating the return of the bodies to their families," Fallugah said.