One Person Disappears After Tugboat Explodes In North Penajam Paser

Balikpapan Basarnas divers prepare to search for the missing Blue Dragon 12 "tugboat" crew in the waters of North Penajam Paser Regency, Sunday (24/7) (ANTARA/HO)

PENAJAM PASER UTARA - One crew member (ABK) went missing after the Blue Dragon 12 tugboat docked in the waters of North Penajam Paser Regency, East Kalimantan, exploded and caught fire.

"The incident occurred on Saturday (23/7) at around 16.30 WITA," said Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of North Penajam Paser Regency, Marjani, as quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, July 24.

The Blue Dragon 12 tugboat exploded and caught fire, then sank while anchored in the waters of a tributary of the Semoi River, Mentawir Village, Sepaku District beside the Sea Dragon 2712 pontoon.

Of the 12 tugboat crew members, 11 people managed to escape, while one crew member, Erol Samallo, was declared missing.

The National Search and Rescue Agency or Basarnas Balikpapan and the TNI/Polri conducted a search at the scene on Sunday (24/7) morning.

"The search was carried out by Basarnas divers focusing on the location of the sinking. It is suspected that the victim was in the ship," he explained.

However, the search process was temporarily suspended due to heavy currents and fuel spills. The search was resumed on Monday (25/7).

Seven Blue Dragon 12 "tugboat" crew members who survived without any injuries were brought to Balikpapan City for questioning by the authorities.

Meanwhile, the other four crew members who survived and suffered injuries were taken to Tengin Baru Health Center, Sepaku District for treatment.

"Tugboat" Blue Dragon 12 and pontoon Sea Dragon 2712 docked in the waters of the Semoi River, since Wednesday (20/7) after traveling from Madura, East Java.

The tugboats and barges anchored in the waters of the Semoi River, Marjani said, to wait for the coal loading and unloading queue at the PT Semoi Prima Lestari Port.