Passengers on an Indonesian ferry leapt into the sea and swam ashore on April 07, after authorities sought to block the vessel docking due to fears of suspected coronavirus cases.

The vessel carrying 255 passengers was travelling via Indonesian Borneo and the island of Sulawesi.

It was blocked when trying to make port in Maumere in the eastern island of Flores, amid fears three crew members on board had contracted the novel coronavirus.

Footage shows how terrified passengers on board the large ship jumping overboard while others pleaded with crew to be let off the ship.

In a sign of growing anxiety about the spread of the coronavirus, residents in Maumere gathered at the port to protest the ship’s arrival on Tuesday.

Passengers on an Indonesian ferry leapt into the sea and swam ashore after authorities sought to block the vessel docking due to fears of suspected coronavirus cases.

The vessel carrying 255 passengers was travelling via Indonesian Borneo and the island of Sulawesi but was blocked when trying to make port in Maumere in the eastern island of Flores, amid fears three crew members on board had contracted the novel coronavirus.

Shocking footage shows how terrified passengers on board the large ship jumping overboard while others pleaded with crew to be let off the ship.

Wisnu Handoko, an official at the transport ministry, said: "We ask for the passengers to cooperate with health protocols before disembarking from the ship and refrain from any actions that could be harmful.''

In a sign of growing anxiety about the spread of the coronavirus, residents in Maumere gathered at the port to protest the ship’s arrival on Tuesday.