A dramatic incident shook the maritime spaces around Sulawesi Island, when a passenger ferry suddenly turned into a fiery element, claiming the lives of three people and putting hundreds of passengers at risk.
According to initial data, a total of 568 people managed to survive during this deadly incident, which put the capacity of rescue services to the test. The exact cause of the fire remains unclear, which further increases the tension around what happened.
Immediately after receiving the distress signal, a large-scale rescue operation was undertaken in the open sea. It involved various marine vessels - one coast guard ship, six rescue boats, and several inflatable boats that worked in sync to evacuate the victims from the water.
Local fishermen also played a key role in the rescue activities, managing to pull many people out of the maritime element and transport them to nearby islands. Their quick reaction and professionalism significantly contributed to reducing human losses.
The incident raised further questions about the safety of maritime transport in the region and the need for stricter prevention measures for such tragedies. The investigation is yet to clarify the root causes of the fire, which endangered the lives of hundreds of innocent passengers.
Official authorities in Indonesia have already taken initial steps to document the incident and support the affected families.