A massive inferno engulfed the KM Barcelona VA vessel off the coast of Indonesia, forcing passengers to jump overboard in scenes of horror, with dozens feared trapped.
The blaze broke out at around 1.30 pm local time on Sunday, reports say.
Over 300 people were on board the ferry. In a video, panic-stricken passengers can be seen, some with children seen leaping into the sea to escape the flames.
Harrowing footage showed passengers leaping into the water, many of them clad in bright orange life jackets, as the blaze ripped through the ship.
Separate footage showed the overcrowded ship deck as staff helped passengers buckle their life vests before jumping off the boat.
Rescue operations are ongoing as emergency teams race against time to account for all passengers.
Some of the rescued people were seen looking at the destroyed ship as the fire was put out by a neighbouring boat.
The once blue and white vessel was turned into a burned black carcass as flames tore the boat inside out.
Metal bars from the ship’s internal structure became exposed as the hull was completely destroyed.
“There are KM Barcelona III, KM Venecian, and KM Cantika Lestari 9F," a Manado KSOP officer confirmed, naming the three rescue ships dispatched to the scene to help evacuate survivors.
Fishing boats and local residents could be seen surrounding the blazing ferry to help rescue as many passengers as possible, said the Manado Search and Rescue Office.
Source: News18
