The North Sulawesi Regional Police's Water and Air Police Directorate (Ditpolairud) has named one suspect in the fire that engulfed the KM Barcelona 5 passenger ship. The ship, carrying hundreds of passengers, caught fire in the waters off North Minahasa on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
"After questioning witnesses, the team and investigators concluded that we need to upgrade the status and name one suspect, identified as IB," said the Director of the North Sulawesi Regional Police's Water and Air Police, Senior Commissioner Eko Wimpiyanto Hardjito, as quoted in a written statement on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
The Barcelona 5 passenger ship caught fire at 2:30 p.m. WITA (Central Indonesian Time). The incident occurred 10 miles northwest of Likupang, North Minahasa, or not far from Talise Island.
The ship departed from Manado Harbor on Sunday, July 20, 2025, bound for Tahuna Harbor. Four passengers died in the accident.
"Based on the data received, four passengers died in the incident. Their bodies are currently being evacuated to Likupang. One body has not yet arrived," said North Minahasa Regent Joune J.E. Ganda on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
Eko explained that on Sunday evening, July 20, 2025, his office formed a team to conduct an investigation. The team then conducted a case review, involving the Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimsus), Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimum), Inspectorate of Supervision (Iwasda), and several other North Sulawesi Regional Police work units to determine the next steps for the investigation. "Therefore, a Model A Police Report was issued for further investigation," he said.
During the further investigation, Eko explained, the team questioned witnesses, particularly the crew, passengers, and the ship's captain. The investigative team then requested the results of the victims' autopsies and conducted identification with the North Sulawesi Regional Police's Bidlabfor (Forensic Laboratory) to examine and process the crime scene inside the burning ship.
Eko stated that the North Sulawesi Regional Police are currently formulating a further investigation plan to unravel the roles of each crew member involved at the scene. They are currently in the evidence gathering stage.
"We ask for the public's prayers for a speedy resolution of this incident, leading up to the trial process," Eko said.
Budhy Nurgianto contributed to this article.
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