A rescue boat exploded killing three officers in Indonesia.

The speedboat from the National Search and Rescue Agency was en route to a rescue operation when it exploded near the Maluku Islands, at 11 pm on February 2.

Footage shows crew of a passing ferry battling to rescue passengers from the damaged speedboat.

Three people were killed in the blast while local journalist Sahril Helmi was thrown overboard and went missing.

The casualties were identified by police as Bharatu Mardi Hadji of the Water and Air Police Directorate, and rescue officers Fadli M. Malagapi and M. Riski Esa.

Seven survivors were rescued by the Cantika Lestari 10 ferry sailing from North Maluku province to North Sulawesi.

Azhari Juanda, director of the provincial water and air police, said: 'The search for the missing victim is ongoing. He is a journalist. The chronology of the incident will be addressed by the National Search and Rescue Agency.

'One victim who died, Bharatu Mardi Hadji, has been taken to a funeral home, while two seriously injured people were immediately treated at the Chasan Boesoirie Hospital Ternate.'

The boat explosion occurred while the rescue team of 11 members were responding to a distress call from two fishermen stranded off Tidore island.

Authorities said they were investigating the cause.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) warned of heavy rain pummeling parts of Indonesia, including North Maluku province, this week.

The agency said: 'The combination of cold air currents, cyclonic circulation, convergence, and wind deflection supports increased rainfall in various regions, such as Aceh, North Sumatra, Lampung, DKI Jakarta, Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua.

'With this phenomenon, the public is advised to be aware of the potential for extreme weather in various regions in Indonesia.'