The journey of the KM Barcelona 5 from the Talaud Islands to Manado came to a dramatic end on Sunday afternoon (July 20, 2025).

The ship, which was carrying hundreds of passengers, caught fire in the waters near Talise Island, North Minahasa, triggering a mass panic that forced passengers to jump into the sea to save themselves. Thick black smoke could be clearly seen billowing from the ship as it sailed in the middle of the ocean. The sight was accompanied by the panicked screams of passengers trying to get away from the fire. Many of them, wearing life jackets, desperately jumped into the water, while others clung to floating life rings that had been thrown into the sea.

In a swift response to the incident, a joint team from various agencies was immediately deployed. According to the North Sulawesi Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), a Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Basarnas, the Navy (AL), and the Sea and Coast Guard Unit (KPLP) immediately coordinated with local fishermen. They worked shoulder to shoulder to evacuate passengers who were either floating in the sea or still on the ship.

An emergency evacuation center was established on Gangga II Island, the nearest inhabited island. All passengers who were successfully rescued were taken to the island to receive initial medical treatment and be registered. As of now, there is no definitive data on the number of fatalities or injuries. The authorities are still continuing the search and data collection process to ensure no passengers are left behind. A thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the exact cause of this tragic incident.