A terrifying ferry fire in Indonesia has led to a death toll of at least three people with over 130 others missing. The ship, KM Barcelona VA, was carrying 280 passengers when it erupted in flames while at sea near North Sulawesi on Sunday afternoon.

One survivor, Abdul Rahmad Agu, live streamed the horrifying experience on Facebook while he floated in the sea holding a screaming baby. Wearing a bright orange life jacket, he pleaded for help in the video: “We are burning at sea… we need help… fast.” The live stream lasted 28 minutes, which revealed the fear and panic Chris and others experienced, and their wait until rescuers arrived.

Thick black smoke and roaring flames overtook the ferry at a rapid pace. As flames quickly spread from lower decks, witnesses could observe passengers jumping off the ferry into the sea to escape flames. Footage that has since spread like wildfire showed people screaming while those with life jackets struggled to keep afloat.

As reported by Veri Ariyanto from the local Search and Rescue Office, almost 150 people have been rescued, however of the 280 people reported to be on board, there are still about 130 missing. The rescue teams are trying hard to rescue the remaining people.

Eyewitness videos show the ferry engulfed in flames and black smoke billowing into the air. The sky was filled with thick billows of dark smoke rising from the ferry, which had been blue-and-white, it was now an empty burned out black shell. The metal frame of the ship was left behind after it had been consumed in flames.

Officials said that panic erupted at around 1:30 PM local time when passengers first noticed the smoke, before then, everything had been calm. Then, everybody rushed to evacuate, it all fell apart. Staff were seen helping people put their life vests on before jumping out to safety and were still trying to help when the boat seemed to be falling apart.

Three ships KM barcelona III, KM Venecian, and KM Cantika Lestari 9F were all dispatched to assist in the rescue, while locals and fishermen also joined the rescue efforts. The Indonesian ferry was travelling from Talaud Islands to Manado City and it was not too far from Talise Island when it caught fire.

KM Barcelona VA ran the Manado-Tahuda route and surrounding islands and had scheduled to dock at Manado Port later today. Officials are uncertain what caused the fire, and an investigation is ongoing. A search and rescue center has been established at Likupang Port.

George Leo Mercy Randang, from Manado Search and Rescue Office directed families to remain calm and wait for updates. “There will be update,” Randang said. “We hope we can rescue all passengers first.”

This tragedy took place just a day after another maritime crash in Vietnam, which left 38 dead after a tourist boat capsizing from strong winds while out in Halong Bay.

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Search efforts continue in Indonesia as families hold onto hope for their loved ones.

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