Police Investigate Ship Explosion Case Under Ampera Bridge

Palembang Police Chief Kombes Pol Harryo Sugihhartono (ANTARA)

Palembang Police, South Sumatra investigated the case of the explosion of a Jukung ship that caused a fire under the Ampera bridge. "We have handled this incident and we are intensifying continuing to investigate the trigger for this explosion. Whether this is purely an accident or there is a human error involved, we are still investigating it," said Palembang Police Chief Kombes Harryo Sugihhartono, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, April 2.

He explained that the tragic incident occurred on Monday, April 1, 2024 night at the Palembang Floating fueling station (SPBB) when a jukung ship that was refueling oil (BBM) experienced an explosion. This incident began when the jukung ship was refueling at SPBB Apung in the afternoon Monday. After the SPBB was closed, the jukung ship was still at the location. "From the results of the investigation of the scene of the incident, we found sparks from the wood and anchors that exploded, until the wood and anchors were thrown into the SPBB," he said. He added that the starting point of the explosion occurred on the right side of the SPBB which was badly damaged. Based on the temporary search, the police concluded that the source of the explosion was near the end of the SPBB. The spark that reached the roof of the SPBB, it could be concluded that the explosion came from the ship.

The incident resulted in the death of a ship driver named Askolani. Meanwhile, two of them are critical, namely Dedi and Krisna and another victim, Endut is still being searched.

Meanwhile, based on information from residents around the scene of the incident, there was a fairly loud bang, allegedly the sound of an explosion from the ship.