Ferry fire off North Sulawesi rescues 560, leaves three dead.

Over 560 people were rescued, and three died, after the KM Barcelona 5 ferry caught fire en route from Melonguane to Manado on Sunday, with navy vessels, rescue boats, and local fishermen aiding in evacuations. The blaze in the ferry’s stern was extinguished within an hour, but authorities warned that manifests often undercount passengers, complicating search and rescue operations. Indonesia’s archipelagic geography and lax safety enforcement make ferry disasters common, with overcrowded vessels and inconsistent standards fueling repeated tragedies.

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https://apnews.com/article/indonesia-passenger-ferry-fire-4872d675acc1fdd0d53811b1d0b0e55b