A harrowing video circulating online captures the moment terrified passengers leapt into the sea to escape a burning Indonesian ferry, identified as KM Barcelona V-A.
The footage shows the vessel engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
Only the front section of the ferry remained untouched by fire, but panic had already set in.
Passengers, some seen emerging through small exits, jumped into the water, many from the upper decks, desperate to escape the inferno.
Despite the chaos, a majority of the passengers were wearing life jackets, which likely saved many lives.
The video featured anguished cries and screams from distressed passengers.
One particularly emotional moment shows a man in a life jacket clutching a struggling baby, shielding the child from drowning as they awaited rescue.
The clip ends with scenes of nearby vessels attempting to extinguish the fire and rescue passengers from the sea.
According to Al Jazeera, three people died and over 500 others were rescued.
An Indonesian coastguard reported that KM Barcelona V-A was sailing from Melonguane Port in the Talaud Islands toward Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi Province, when the fire broke out.
Rescue vessels and inflatable boats were quickly deployed.
Many survivors were pulled from the water by the coastguard and local fishermen, some found drifting in life jackets amid the rough waves.
The incident sparked an emotional response on social media, with users expressing shock and sympathy.
Lennohsage wrote, “Weuh, tukimaliza siku lazima tuombe Mungu.”
@njambi_tatia added, “Mimi naenda swimming classes leo, weeeh!”
@nat_dollz reflected, “That father holding the baby with faith. Praying for the pains and needs of this world.”
Itsjessekelvin noted, “The fact that most jumped in with life jackets—kudos. If this happened in a country that ain’t prepared, ingekuwa mbaya.”