Imagine a nightmare scene: an Indonesian ferry engulfed in flames with over 560 people on board! Yes, you read that right — over five hundred people! Officially, only 15 passengers and crew were reported, but the reality was far worse. The fire broke out around noon on a ferry traveling between the ports of Melonguane and Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province.
Rescuers fought like lions — six rescue boats, inflatable rafts, and even local fishermen jumped into action. People were jumping into the sea, battling the waves, while thick black smoke swallowed the burning ship. Sadly, three people died, including a pregnant woman.
Indonesia is notorious for ferry passenger numbers often not matching official manifests, complicating rescue operations. The ferry’s capacity was about 60 people, but clearly, there were many more on board.
This tragedy shines a harsh light on serious safety issues in Indonesian maritime transport. How is it possible to carry so many people without proper records? Is this just the tip of the iceberg?
As authorities struggle to extinguish the fire and save survivors, the question remains — how many more such disasters must happen before something changes?
If this story has you fired up like the ferry, feel free to drop a comment below. Is this just another example of irresponsibility, or something that should worry us all? Share your thoughts, maybe together we can find a solution!
