Manado, North Sulawesi (ANTARA) -
The local search and rescue (SAR) agency in Manado, North Sulawesi, confirmed that 673 passengers survived the KM Barcelona V ferry fire incident last week, while three passengers were killed and two others remain missing.
"The two missing passengers have been identified as Leivi Alba and Hamen Langinang," said Manado SAR Office Head George Landang at a press conference at the Port of Manado on Monday.
The fire broke out aboard KM Barcelona V in the waters off Talise, North Minahasa District, while it was en route from the Talaud Islands to Manado City on July 20.
Landang announced that the SAR agency had decided to end the search operation, which had been ongoing for the past seven days.
He added that the operation would transition to passive monitoring, and SAR personnel would only be deployed upon receiving credible indications regarding the whereabouts of the missing victims.
During the same occasion, Landang praised local fishermen and tourism workers near the incident site for helping evacuate passengers during the early stages of the fire.
He also expressed appreciation for the residents of Gangga and Bangka islands for their swift action in rescuing passengers and bringing them to safety.
"Residents of Gangga and Bangka islands responded quickly and selflessly, driven purely by compassion and conscience," the SAR chief stated.
