KM Bintang Surya Fire In Karimun Waters, 1 Crew Member Died, 17 Others Survived

The Indonesian Bakamla Ship helps extinguish the burning ship in the waters of the Malacca Strait (ANTARA/HO-Humas Bakamla RI)

RIAU ISLAND - One person died in a fire on the KLM Bintang Surya ship, a wooden cargo ship loaded with grocery items that caught fire in the waters of the Malacca Strait, Tanjung Balai Karimun, Riau Islands (Kepri).

"This ship was carrying 18 crew members (ABK), 17 people survived and 1 of them was declared dead," said Bakamla RI Young Expert Public Relations Officer Captain Bakamla Yuhanes Antara from his written statement, Sunday 12 June.

Yuhanes explained that the incident began when the border guard ship KN. Dana-323 Island which was on patrol in the Singapore Strait received a radio call for emergency assistance that a ship was on fire near the waters.

"In response to this, officers moved at high speed to the scene. Upon arrival at the location, members immediately took out their fire fighting equipment and sprayed them on the burning ship," he said, as reported by Antara.

From the results of the initial identification of the Indonesian Bakamla team, the ship on fire was known to be named the KM Bintang Surya.

"This ship is a type of wooden cargo ship loaded with grocery items that is sailing from Singapore to Tanjung Balai Karimun," he said, as reported by Antara.

After the fire was extinguished, the surviving crew members were evacuated to KRI Lemadang 631 TNI AL who also participated in helping. The victim died and the injured were taken to a nearby hospital.

“Until this news was published, the victims were taken to Tanjung Balai Karimun for further medical examination. The cause of the accident is still under investigation and KN. The Indonesian Bakamla is still carrying out security around the incident location," he said.