Overview

• Rescuers and local fishermen evacuated 568 survivors from the sea and recovered three bodies, including that of a pregnant woman.
• The KM Barcelona 5 caught fire around 1:30 p.m. local time on July 20 near Talise Island while en route from the Talaud Islands to Manado.
• Coast guard and navy ships, six rescue vessels and inflatable boats joined forces in a coordinated multi-agency operation.
• Officials found a large discrepancy between the ship’s 280-passenger manifest and the actual number of people aboard.
• A formal probe is under way to determine the fire’s origin and to examine systemic lapses in vessel maintenance and regulatory oversight.