Anticipating Continued Dangers, The Location Of The KM Umsini Fire Is Lined By The Police

Firefighters sprayed water to extinguish the fire that burned KM Umsini at Makassar Port, South Sulawesi, Sunday (9/6/2024). (ANTARA)

Makassar Port Police immediately took quick steps by securing the location of the burning Umsini Motor Ship (KM) fire at Soekarno Port Hatta Makassar to anticipate further hazards. Makassar Port Police Chief AKBP Yudi Frianto said at the time of the fire incident officers immediately rushed and secured the location. "Members immediately secured the location and evaluated all passengers. After evacuating the fire was immediately extinguished and made a police line so that no passengers got off the ship," said Yudi as quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, June 9. AKBP Yudi Frianto said the police line carried out by his members was not to prohibit passengers from picking up goods, but rather to anticipate any further danger. He stated the installation of police lines to sterilize the location, because it was still very dangerous for passengers who were going up and down to take their luggage. "We secure it, sterilize it because of danger we don't know. We sterilize it first until the situation really allows passengers to take their goods," he said. Previously, the Head of the PT PelenNI National Shipping Company or PT PELNI (Persero), Evan Eryanto said the source of the fire was first known at 04.20 WITA, which was thought to have originated from sparks in an auxiliary motorbike in the engine room. The fire was successfully extinguished at 09.03 WITA. "Currently, the fire has been successfully extinguished and there were no casualties. The crew of the ship quickly attempted to extinguish it using the CO2 fire extinguisher available on board, and at the same time lowering passengers to the dock. We are currently continuing to coordinate with all parties concerned, "said Evan in an official statement.

When the fire broke out, there were 1,677 passengers to Makassar, Surabaya, Kijang, and Jakarta. The follow-up passengers will be transported using another PELNI ship that will pass through Makassar. "The passengers bound for Surabaya and Kijang will be transported using KM Labobar on Tuesday (11/6), while the passengers to Jakarta will be taken by KM Doryonda on the same day, all departing from Makassar," said Evan.