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Breaking: Tragedy at Sea as KM Barcelona VA Ferry Catched Fire Off Talise Island, Hundreds Rescued, Several Dead
By Favour Bibaikefie
A terrible maritime disasters unfolded earlier today, Sunday, July 20, 2025, when the KM Barcelona VA, a passenger ferry travelling across the North Sulawesi coast of Indonesia, caught fire at sea, forcing over 280 passengers and crew to leap into the open waters near Talise Island in a desperate bid to survive.
The fire reportedly broke out in the late morning hours, around 11:00 a.m. local time, as the ferry sailed en route from the Port of Talaud Islands to Manado, passing close to Talise Islan, a small community located in the Sangihe Islands region of North Sulawesi Province.
Though the exact cause of the fire is still under official investigation by Indonesian maritime authorities, eyewitness accounts suggest the fire originated from the engine room and quickly spread through the upper decks of the vessel, engulfing parts of the ship in thick, black smoke. No explodes were heard, but flames moved swiftly, overwhelming the onboard fire safety systems.
See attached video: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1WNyUhC27E/
Several passengers reported hearing alarms and seeing smoke rise from below deck shortly before the crew instructed them to wear life jackets and abandon ship.
The KM Barcelona VA is a traditional Indonesian wooden-hull passenger vessel designed to carry passengers and light cargo across island routes. The ship was licensed to carry 300 passengers, and according to the Manado Ports Authority, there were 284 people on board, including passengers, crew, and local traders.
Built to operate in the calm coastal waters of the archipelago, KM Barcelona VA was a key transport link for many remote island communities.
Immediately after the distress calls were received, a coordinated rescue operation was launched by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Indonesian Navy, and local fishing vessels. Within hours, rescue boats from KM Barcelona III, KM Cantika Lestari 9F, and KM Venecian reached the scene.
Out of the 284 persons on board, 278 were successfully rescued from the sea, some clinging to life jackets, barrels, or wreckage. Survivors were taken to Bitung and Manado ports, where emergency medical teams were stationed.
Despite the swift response, at least five fatalities were confirmed as of Sunday night. Among the dead were two women, including a pregnant woman, and a child, according to the Indonesian Red Cross. Their identities were being withheld pending family notification.
Some survivors suffered from hypothermia, shock, and minor injuries. All were being treated at hospitals in Manado.
A spokesperson for Basarnas, Abdul Malik, confirmed:
“We have received 278 people so far. Unfortunately, five people were found deceased. Search operations will continue to ensure no one is left behind.”
The Indonesian Ministry of Transportation has suspended operations of similar ferry liners pending safety audits and has vowed to carry out a full investigation.
Footages taken by survivors went viral on social media, showing panicked passengers jumping overboard as fire and smoke engulfed the rear deck. In one emotional clip, a young father was seen clutching his child while swimming to safety, guided by the lights os a vessel.
One survivor, Abdul Rahmad Agu, livestreamed his escape:
“We had no chance but to jump. The smoke was thick, and people were crying and screaming. Thank God the rescue team arrived quickly.”
Maritime analysts point to long-standing concerns about safety compliance and aging vessels in Indonesia’s inter-island transport system. Ferry disasters remain common due to overloading, poor maintenance, and weak enforcement of safety regulations.
In 2018, more than 160 people died when ferry sank in Lake Toba. While recent reforms have improved oversight, many vessels, especially wooden-hull ferries like KM Barcelona VA, remain vulnerable to and structural failure.
The Indonesian government has ordered a comprehensive inspection of all operating ferries in the region and has promised support for the families of the deceased.
As the nation mourns the lives lost in this latest maritime tragedy, survivors, families, and citizens across Indonesia are once again calling for urgent reforms to protect those who rely on the seas for their livelihood and connection to the rest of the country.
May the souls of the departed rest in peace.
Stay with IduwiniVoice for further updates as investigations unfold.
By: Favour Bibaikefie
A tragic road accident involving Nigerian-British boxing star Anthony Joshua has reportedly claimed two lives in Ogun State, sparking concern across the country.
The incident occurred on Monday around the Makun axis of the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, one of Nigeria’s most heavily trafficked highways. Preliminary information indicates that a vehicle conveying the former heavyweight world champion was involved in a collision with another car, though the exact cause of the crash remains unclear.
Eyewitnesses said emergency responders and security personnel arrived at the scene shortly after the incident to manage traffic and assist victims. Two occupants of the other vehicle were confirmed dead, while details about injuries are still emeraina.
Eyewitnesses said emergency responders and security personnel arrived at the scene shortly after the incident to manage traffic and assist victims. Two occupants of the other vehicle were confirmed dead, while details about injuries are still emerging.
Sources close to the development said Joshua survived the accident, but officials are yet to release a comprehensive statement on his condition or the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
Authorities have commenced investigations to determine the cause of the collision, as motorists were advised to exercise caution while plying the expressway.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has long been notorious for road accidents, often linked to speeding, congestion, and poor visibility, renewing calls for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and improved road safety measures.
By: Doubra Stanley
ABUJA, Nigeria – December 26, 2025
The United States military launched coordinated airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in northwest Nigeria on Thursday, confirming a significant escalation in international counter-terrorism cooperation.
President Donald Trump announced the operation, saying U.S. forces had carried out “powerful and deadly” strikes against militants linked to Islamic State in Sokoto State.
According to official statements, the strikes were ordered at the direction of the U.S. Commander-in-Chief and carried out with the support of Nigerian authorities, CBS News reported.
The U.S. Department of War released video footage showing munitions being launched toward militant positions, underscoring Washington’s commitment to confronting extremist groups in West Africa. U.S. Africa Command, which oversees American military operations on the continent, said the initial assessment pointed to the death of several ISIS fighters, Fox News reported.
In a social media post, President Trump framed the strikes as part of a broader effort to halt attacks on vulnerable communities, particularly in areas where extremist violence has surged.
Nigerian officials described the operation as part of ongoing security cooperation, emphasizing shared intelligence and strategic planning to counter persistent threats from extremist factions.
The operation marks one of the most visible U.S. military actions in Nigeria in 2025, reflecting deepening ties between Abuja and Washington in addressing the complex security landscape marked by Islamist insurgencies and criminal violence. Nigerian authorities reiterated that the fight against terrorism transcends religious lines, stressing that violent groups have targeted both Christian and Muslim communities in recent years, Reuters added.
Security analysts say the strikes may signal further foreign involvement in countering extremist networks in the region, even as Nigerian forces continue domestic operations against multiple militant groups.
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By: Divine Perezide
As the countdown begins for the forthcoming Ijaw Media Conference Volume 2, the organizers, Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has announced that the President of Egbema Brotherhood, Alaowei Promise Lawuru, has accepted the role of Guest of Honour come December 2025.
IPF had earlier announced the second edition of its annual event, with the Christined “Safeguarding Niger Delta’s Natural Resources for Future Generations.”
Chief Lawuru, the young Ijaw businessman and politician, received a delegation of the Central Working Committee led by Pastor Arex Akemotubo last Monday, where the invitation was extended to him.
Akemotubo explained that this year’s theme was chosen out of concern for the growing strain on the region’s land and waters. The Publisher of WaffiTV stressed that the forum wants to strengthen public understanding, support honest reporting, and encourage leaders to protect the resources of the Niger Delta for generations to come, adding that Lawuru’s antecedence of service to humanity and unwavering commitment to community development made him a natural choice for the role.
Chief Lawuru welcomed the invitation and spoke warmly about the need for shared responsibility among stakeholders and groups such the IPF. He commended the Forum for using media to defend the region’s interests and promised full support for the conference.
Lawuru further urged other stakeholders across the Ijaw nation to throw their weight behind efforts that safeguard the resources and environment of Ijaw nation in particular and the larger Niger Delta region.
As the train continues to galvanise leaders across the region, IduwiniVoice can report that the who is who in the Niger Delta from business to political sphere are marked to be in attendance.
IduwiniVoice