BANGKOK: A passenger ferry carrying 280 people caught fire off the coast of Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province, prompting people to jump into the water, with at least one death confirmed, Sputnik/ RIA Novosti reported.
On Sunday, a major fire broke out on the Barcelona ferry at around noon (06:00 GMT) when the ship was near Talisay Island, about 59.5 km from the provincial capital of Manado, where it was heading, the Jakarta Post newspaper reported, citing the spokesperson of the North Sulawesi Search and Rescue Agency, Nuriadin Gumeleng.
The fire prompted many passengers to jump into the water to escape the fire.
Rescuers searched for the passengers who jumped, as well as for those who may still be on board the ferry, Gumeleng told reporters. Some of those rescued were evacuated to nearby Ganga Island, the official said.
Local media in North Sulawesi said the authorities confirmed the death of a female passenger, but the full list of casualties will be released later.
The Barcelona ferry serves one of the busiest shipping routes in the province, connecting Manado with neighbouring islands including the Talaud and Sangih archipelagos. – BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI
