Jakarta, 21 July 2025 (dpa/MIA) - At least three people were killed after a ferry caught fire off the coast of Indonesia on Sunday, authorities said on Monday.

The KM Barcelona V was sailing from Melonguane to Manado when a fire broke out on board, the Ministry of Transportation said.

Indonesia's search and rescue agency, Basarnas, put the death toll at three. Two people were missing, according to the agency.

A statement from the navy said at least five people had died in the incident.

According to officials, the blaze is believed to have started on the upper deck. Images from the scene shown on local television showed heavy smoke engulfing the ferry as passengers scrambled to evacuate.

One survivor described waking up to smoke filling the passenger deck.

"The air was full of smoke and everyone started panicking," Johan Rumewo told Kompas TV after being evacuated to Manado port.

"I managed to grab a life jacket and jumped into the sea. I floated for about an hour before being rescued," he said. "People were pushing, shouting, trying to get life jackets." 

Sea accidents are not uncommon in Indonesia, an archipelago of over 17,000 islands, where ferry transport is a vital mode of travel but often hampered by poor safety standards.

Officials said they were investigating the cause of the fire.

Photo: archive