Singapore's TV channel CNA reported that the crashed ship named KM Barcelona 5 was carrying 280 passengers to Manado port in the North Sulawesi province of Indonesia when it suddenly caught fire.
Xinhua News Agency and Indonesian media updated that at least 3 people have died.
Veri Ariyanto, an official of the local search and rescue team, told Xinhua: "Three people died and nearly 150 others were rescued by both the rescue team and local fishing boats. Search and rescue work is still ongoing. Many large boats have been mobilized for rescue in this cruise ship fire".
Jerry Harmonsina, representative of the North Sulawesi Disaster Management Center, said: "According to initial information, the cruise ship fire was identified off the coast of Talise Island.
Rescue teams from the Navy and the National Search and Rescue Agency have been sent to the location of this ship to conduct evacuation work. The search was supported by local fishermen".
Videos of the KM Barcelona 5 tourist train fire quickly spread on social networks from this evening. Among them were many videos of passengers who were rescued to safety.
From these videos, black smoke can be seen rising dense and the fire is fierce on the ship. Dozens of passengers wearing life jackets jumped into the sea to escape, while others panicked in an attempt to call for help.
Jakarta Globe updated at 9:16 p.m. on July 20, Former Garment Admiral Franky Pasuna Sihombing, commander of the VIII/Manado Naval Station, confirmed that he had rescued all 280 passengers on the ship. However, three passengers were killed.
