At least five people died and 300 were rescued after a ferry caught fire today off the central Indonesian island of Sulawesi, the Indonesian coast guard reported, Agence France-Presse reported, quoted by BTA.
The ferry was engulfed in flames off the northern part of the island while heading to the city of Manado, the Indonesian maritime safety agency reported. Some passengers jumped overboard, wearing life jackets.
Fishermen helped evacuate passengers from the burning ferry.
The cause of the fire has not yet been reported.