Ships Transporting Thousands Of Tons Of Cement Sink In The Waters Of Bima NTB

Illustration of a ship transporting cement exports to the Maldives at Teluk Bayur Harbor, Padang. (Between)

NTB - Experiencing a leak in the engine room, a ship carrying thousands of tons of cement sank in the northern seas of Sangiang Island, Bima Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

Bima City Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner of Police Henry Novika Chandra said that the leak experienced by the Permata Asia Motorboat (KM) had actually been repaired several times.

"But because it could no longer be helped [the leak], the captain of the ship asked for help by sending an SOS signal," Henry said in a written statement, quoted from Antara, Sunday, May 8.

The news sent via the SOS signal received a response from joint personnel from the Navy, Polairud, Sape Police, and Lambu Police.

"They moved quickly until they finally managed to evacuate the crew of KM Asia Permata to Sape Harbor," he said.

The ship with the hull number GT 1381 was carrying 18 crew members to the east, East Nusa Tenggara Province. The ship was reportedly sunk on Saturday 7 May afternoon.