Indonesian coast guard confirms hundreds of passengers saved from ferry fire in Sulawesi; five have been reported dead

In this photo made from video released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), a rescue ship approaches passenger ship KM Barcelona after it caught fire in the waters off Talise Island in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Sunday, July 20, 2025. - Photo: BASARNAS via AP

JAKARTA (AFP): An Indonesian ferry fire killed at least five people on Sunday, the country's coast guard said, while more than 200 others were saved with many jumping overboard to flee the huge blaze.

The KM Barcelona 5 ferry was engulfed in flames off the coast of Sulawesi island, Indonesia's Maritime Security Agency said, just weeks after at least 19 people were killed when a ferry sank off the popular resort island of Bali.