Boat Transporting 14 Health Center Personnel Caught Fire In South Kalimantan Tapin Waters

The condition of the fast boat (speed boat) caught fire while carrying 14 puskesmas officers in Tapin Regency, South Kalimantan, Thursday (11/1/2024). (ANTARA)

TAPIN - Kapolsek Candi Laras Utara Iptu Ketut Sedimen said there were no casualties in the fast boat fire carrying 14 puskesmas officers while crossing the Nagara River, Rawana Hilir Village, Tapin Regency, South Kalimantan, Thursday 11 January.

"The Margasari Hilir Health Center officer wants to carry out the task of handling posyandu toddlers and non-communicable diseases in five villages in the area," Ketut said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, January 12.

He mentioned the cause of the fire allegedly due to the "overhead" and short circuit in the electric boat while leaning towards the riverbank.

"At that time a small fire appeared until it grew, fueled oil in the engine," he said.

Ketut said the speed boat departed from the Pasar Lama Margasari Pier.

He revealed that motorists reacted quickly when the fire started to burn, then the passengers immediately climbed into the dock and there were several people who plunged into the river to save themselves.

Ketut said that although there were no casualties in the incident, the fire caused material losses of up to hundreds of millions, including speed boats belonging to the puskesmas, medicines, equipment, and personal belongings of officers.

"If it is nominated, the price of the speed boat is around Rp. 758 million, medicines belonging to the puskesmas are four bags worth Rp. 10 million, vaccines Rp. 1 million, five units of mobile phones belonging to passengers worth Rp. 16 million, and other equipment is estimated at Rp. 10 million," he said.