A deadly boat accident in Indonesia involving the KM Barcelona VA has once again brought maritime safety into question. The passenger ferry caught fire near Talise Island, North Minahasa, on Sunday, July 20, 2025, during its journey from Talaud to Manado. The vessel, reportedly operated by PT Surya Pasific Indonesia (SPI), was a 67-meter-long modern ferry capable of carrying up to 600 passengers.
The fire broke out at around 12:00 WITA, just 60 kilometers from Manado Port. At the time, many passengers were having lunch when flames were suspected to have started from a passenger cabin and quickly spread to other parts of the ship. In a statement quoted by Kompas, Ridwan Fallugah, the spokesperson for KM Barcelona, confirmed the fire but withheld further details to avoid public speculation.
Hundreds Rescued, But Fatalities Reported
Initial passenger counts were inconsistent. While early estimates put the number at around 280, field reports indicated more than 400 people were on board. A joint rescue team comprising the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), Basarnas, the military, police, and local residents managed to evacuate:
- 293 passengers to Serei Port
- 87 to Munte Port
- Around 150 directly to Manado via another KM Barcelona vessel
Sadly, five people were confirmed dead, including three patients who were en route to Manado for medical treatment. One of the victims was reportedly pregnant.
The Indonesian Safety Engineers Association (PII) of Riau Province expressed deep concern over the KM Barcelona VA fire and other recent maritime disasters.
In a quote published by I Safety Magazine, PII Chairman Ir. Ulul Azmi stated, “These two incidents, the Barcelona fire and Tunu Pratama Jaya sinking, are serious warnings about the vulnerabilities in our maritime transport system, especially Ro-Ro vessels, which still face technical, operational, and managerial safety flaws.”
Azmi further stressed that maritime accidents often result from poor adherence to safety standards rather than fate. He referenced Indonesia’s Law No. 1/1970 on Occupational Safety, which mandates maximum protection against accidents and emergencies at all workplaces, including maritime transport.
A String of Recent Boat Accidents in Indonesia
The KM Barcelona VA fire adds to a troubling list of boat accidents in Indonesia this year alone:
- KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sank in the Bali Strait on July 3, 2025, after seawater flooded the engine room due to an unsecured hatch. The disaster resulted in 18 deaths and 17 people missing.
- KM Muchlisa sank off East Kalimantan on June 24, 2025, after an engine failure.
- MV Teratai Prima went down in the Sulawesi Sea in January after being struck by a waterspout.
- Federal II, a CPO tanker, caught fire in Batam’s shipyard in June, killing four workers.
These repeated accidents have prompted lawmakers to demand action. Deputy Chairman of Commission V of the Indonesian Parliament, Syaiful Huda, urged the Ministry of Transportation to overhaul maritime Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
“Recurring boat accidents like the Tunu Pratama Jaya sinking and the KM Barcelona fire indicate the need for strict oversight and updated SOPs. If authorities enforced proper supervision, the risk of such fatal incidents could be greatly reduced.” Huda said, as quoted by Inilah.
He emphasized that passenger safety cannot be compromised. The incident highlights the urgent need for a thorough investigation to determine the source and timeline of the fire, along with measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Source: Kompas, I Safety magazine, Inilah, Jawa Pos
Special Photo Credit: ANTARA FOTO/BASARNAS Manado/sgd
