Indonesian ferry boat fire: five killed in inferno
NEW DELHI/ PANAJI (GOA) A passenger ferry carrying hundreds of people caught fire at sea on Sunday (July 20, 2025) off Sulawesi island in Indonesia, killing at least five people, officials said. More than 280 people were rescued and evacuation efforts were ongoing killing at least 5.Local media is reporting that one of the fatal victims in today’s boat fire was a pregnant woman.
A spokesperson for the local search and rescue operation, Nuriadin Gumeleng, said that the deceased woman’s body had been taken to shore. The ferry named Gregorius Barcelona V burst into flames off North Sulawesi, Indonesia, forcing terrified passengers to jump into the sea. Parents clutched children while thick black smoke engulfed the vessel. including a pregnant woman, have been confirmed dead, while 280 survivors were rescued by fishing boats and search teams. This tragedy comes just a day after another deadly boat accident in Vietnam. Shocking videos show survivors leaping into the ocean as the ship bued.
The ferry boat, carrying hundreds of passengers, terrifyingly burst into flames off the coast of Indonesia, with people seen jumping for their lives into the sea. The Gregorius Barcelona V was sailing off the coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia when a blaze ignited on the vessel. More than 280 people were rescued but shocking footage showed passengers desperately jumping in the sea to save their lives while some parents carrying children remained on the ship. Rescuers retrieved five bodies, including a pregnant woman, and three navy ships were deployed to help in the effort.
The maritime disaster comes just a day after a tourist boat carrying more than 50 people capsized off the coast of Vietnam, killing at least 38. A spokesperson for the local search and rescue operation, Nuriadin Gumeleng, said that the deceased woman’s body had been taken to shore.
Inputs from ARVIND TENGSE IN PANAJI
