A ferry packed with 280 people has burst into flames across the coast of Indonesia forcing terrified passengers to jump overboard into the sea.

Striking footage shows the vessel entirely engulfed in bright orange flames as plumes of grey smoke tower above the wreckage.

The KM Barcelona boat had been serving the Manado-Tahuda route, as well as surrounding islands before the blaze broke out today at around 1.30pm local time (7.30am BST).

A woman can be heard crying uncontrollably in a recording of the ruined ferry that shows a number of passengers in orange life vests forced to enter the sea as they sit on the edge of the vessel.

The camera then reveals several dozen people already in the water after swimming away from the boat.

Another video appears to show a toddler rescued from the sea by a man who relays his account of the horrifying events.

He is recorded filming the wreckage a distance away and clutching the young child in his arms who coughs as the man narrates.

It is believed the boat was nearing Talise Island in in North Minahasa Regency when it caught alight.

Striking footage shows the vessel entirely engulfed with bright orange flames as plumes of grey smoke tower above the wreckage
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Striking footage shows the vessel entirely engulfed with bright orange flames as plumes of grey smoke tower above the wreckage

A number of passengers in orange life vests are forced to enter the sea as they sit on the edge of the vessel
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View gallery

A number of passengers in orange life vests are forced to enter the sea as they sit on the edge of the vessel

Some passengers filmed the wreckage a distance away as they recounted the horrifying events
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View gallery

Some passengers filmed the wreckage a distance away as they recounted the horrifying events

In one chilling broadcast uploaded to Facebook a passenger named Abdul Rahmad Agu pleaded: ‘We are burning at sea… we need help… fast…’.

Rescue operations are ongoing with emergency teams racing to account for all passengers.

A Manado KSOP officer named the three rescue ships dispatched to the scene as the KM Barcelona III, KM Venecian, and KM Cantika Lestari 9F.

The ferry was scheduled to dock at Manado Port when disaster struck, local outlet IDN Times reports.

Families of those onboard have been urged to stay calm and await official updates.

Just days earlier, at least 38 people died after tourist boat carrying 53 passengers capsized in Vietnam.

High winds struck Halong Bay, the Wonder Sea boat, and according to Vn Express, rescue crews recovered 37 bodies and saved 11 survivors – with five still unaccounted for.