Three people have died and more than 500 have been rescued after a ferry caught fire off the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
Rescuers announced the incident. Passengers jumped into the sea wearing life jackets after a fire broke out on the stern of the KM Barcelona 5, en route to Manado, according to the Indonesian Coast Guard. Indonesian authorities had previously reported that five people had died in the accident, but later revised the death toll to three.
"The rescue team is still conducting search and rescue operations as the data is still being processed," said George Leo Mercy Randang, head of the Manado rescue agency.
"Our observation point is still open 24 hours a day, in case families wish to report the disappearance of a relative."
At least 568 people were rescued from the ferry and the water, while three others were found dead. The ferry's logbook listed only 280 passengers and 15 crew members on board. Local media reported that the vessel had a capacity of 600.
(Unioneonline)
