Manado: At least three people were killed and around 150 others rescued after a passenger ship caught fire in the waters off Indonesia's North Sulawesi province, officials and local media reported. The incident involved a ferry named Barcelona, which was carrying 280 people when the fire broke out near Talisei Island, approximately 60 kilometers from the provincial capital, Manado.

According to Anadolu Agency, search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with several boats, rigid inflatable boats, and other vessels deployed to assist in the operation. Veri Ariyanto, a senior official at the provincial search and rescue office, informed reporters about the deployment of resources to manage the situation.

The Jakarta Globe, a local English daily, reported that several passengers were successfully rescued and evacuated to nearby Ganga Island. This rescue operation is critical as it marks the third maritime incident this month, following a previous ferry accident in the Bali Strait that resulted in about 35 people dead or missing.

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire while focusing on the safety and well-being of the survivors. Efforts are being made to prevent further maritime accidents in the region.