Ferry fire kills 3 people off Indonesia’s North Sulawesi, hundreds rescued

Anadolu Ajansi

At least three people have died and more than 500 others were rescued after a passenger ferry caught fire in waters off Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province on Sunday, officials said.

The fire broke out on the Barcelona, near Talisei Island, about 60 kms (37 miles) from the provincial capital Manado, according to provincial search and rescue chief Veri Ariyanto.

“Search and rescue efforts are ongoing with several boats, rigid inflatable boats, and other vessels deployed,” Ariyanto told reporters.

Survivors were evacuated from the vessel to nearby Ganga Island, according to local media.

The incident is the third major ferry accident this month in Indonesia, following a passenger ferry sinking in the Bali Strait that left around 35 people dead or missing.

Search and rescue boats search for survivors from the Rafelia II ferry that sank in the Bali Strait, near Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia, 4 March, 2016
Reuters

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