Ferry with 280 people on board catches fire off Indonesia coast

A fire broke out on the passenger ferry KM Barcelona VA off the coast of Indonesia, carrying around 280 people on board.

Thick black smoke billowing from the lower decks caused panic among passengers — many jumped overboard to escape, Caliber.Az reports, citing The U.S. Sun, 

Eyewitnesses are sharing alarming footage on social media showing cries and calls for help. Some videos capture crew members helping passengers put on life jackets before abandoning the ship.

So far, three deaths have been confirmed, and 150 people have been rescued, reports Xinhua.

About 130 people remain missing.

By Khagan Isayev