At least five people were killed and about 300 were rescued when a ferry was wrapped in flames today, off Kelevi, Central Indonesia, according to the Coast Guard.
The fire broke out while the ship was sailing off the northern coast of the island and headed to the city of Manando, the Indonesian Navigation Security Service said. “Five people were killed, the two have not yet been identified. A total of 284 passengers were rescued, “he added.
Some of the passengers wore lifejackets and jumped into the sea to be saved. Fishermen in the area helped to evacuate the ship. The causes of the fire have not yet been clarified.
TERRIFYING SCENES: Ferry carrying 280 people bursts into flames off Indonesia, forcing passengers to jump into sea. Rescue crews save over 260, search ongoing for missing. 18 injured, including children.
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911)
A video released by Manando Research and Rescue Service shows a coastguard boat pouring water into the ferry, from which black smoke is still emerging.
Naval accidents are a common phenomenon in this Southeast Asian archipelago with 17,000 islands and are usually due to bad weather or non -observance of security rules. On July 3, a ferry sank off Bali, killing 19 people.
