Investigate Elements Of Alleged Fire Crime Of MT Kristin Tanker Ship, NTB Police Wait For Labfor Results

The crime scene of the fire on the tanker MT Kristin Surabaya at Lembar Harbor, West Lombok, NTB, Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (ANTARA-HO-Polda NTB)

West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Regional Police are still waiting for the results of the identification of the Bali Police Labfor regarding the fire incident of the MT tanker Kristin Surabaya carrying Pertamina's fuel.

Dirpolairud Polda NTB Kombes Pol Kobul Syahrin Ritonga said the results of the identification of the laboratory team would later determine the direction of the handling.

"Because we have not received (a laboratory result), so we have not been able to conclude whether or not there was a criminal incident in the incident," he said in Mataram, NTB, Wednesday, April 5, as reported by Antara.

Kobul also said that the results of temporary coordination with the laboratory team, identification is still in process.

"So, just wait for that. Later when there is progress, we will definitely convey it. Everything is still in process," he said.

Despite the search for the cause of the fire incident that occurred in the West waters of Lombok Island, Kobul expressed his appreciation for the TNI, Polri, Basarnas, and Pertamina in an integrated search and rescue effort.

"Starting from evacuating crew members, extinguishing fires, to overseeing the process of securing ships anchored at Gili Mas Pier, Lembar Harbor, that's what's really important. Thanks to our cooperation so that this incident can be handled quickly and well," said Kobul.

The action of rescuing the tanker crew of MT Kristin Surabaya also received appreciation from the NTB Police Chief Inspector General Pol Djoko Poerwanto.

Djoko expressed his appreciation by giving a certificate of appreciation to all integrated personnel involved.

The NTB Police Chief also hopes that the awarding will be used as an encouraging capital for other personnel to continue to carry out their duties better.

The tanker fire incident belonging to the PT Hanlyn Jaya Mandiri transport service company occurred on Sunday, March 26 at around 14:45 WITA, while waiting for the queue for fuel distribution in the West waters of Lombok Island.

The plan is that the ship carrying 5,900 kiloliters of Pertamina's Pertalite will charge at the Pertamina Ampenan Depot, Mataram City.

Before the flames and puffs of smoke were seen circling the tanker, residents of the coast had heard the sound of an explosion.

Reportedly, before the explosion, there were as many as three crew members in charge of lowering their anchors from the position of the ship's front deck.

The tanker MT Kristin Surabaya is also known to have transported 17 crew members along with the captain of the ship with 14 survivors and three people died.

The bodies of three victims were found in the western waters of Lombok Island by an integrated team. The discovery of the bodies took place less than a week after the incident occurred on Sunday, March 26.