Overview

• More than 560 people were evacuated from the KM Barcelona 5 after it caught fire midday Sunday near Talise Island in North Sulawesi.
• Rescuers—including a coast guard ship, six navy vessels, inflatable boats and local fishing boats—have been combing the waters for survivors.
• The National Search and Rescue Agency confirmed three fatalities after two passengers initially reported dead were found alive in hospital, including a 2-month-old infant.
• Officials say the blaze, which started in the ferry’s stern and was extinguished within an hour, is under investigation as authorities probe potential overcrowding and manifest discrepancies.
• The incident highlights recurring safety lapses in Indonesia’s inter-island ferry network and renewed calls for stricter maintenance and oversight.