Fire breaks out after container ships collide in Port Klang

PORT KLANG: Two container ships brushed against each other Tuesday night, causing a fire to break out on board the vessels.

One of the ships had to be towed away from the Westport about 1km away to prevent the fire from spreading to other areas of the wharf.

A Port Klang Fire and Rescue Services Department spokesman said they received an emergency call at about 8.00pm.

“The incident happened at Wharf 20 and three fire engines with 21 personnel from the Port Klang, Kota Raja and Andalas fire stations rushed to the scene to prevent the fire from getting out of control,” he said.

The spokesman added that the fire on board of one of the ships named Al Riffa began raging and the vessel had to be towed 1km away from the wharf for safety reasons.

He added that the other ship, the San Felipe, was left on the wharf as the fire was manageable and quickly extinguished.

“Several tug-boats were sent to the scene to douse the fire using seawater,” he said.

Port Klang Authority chairman Tan Sri Kong Cho Ha said no one was injured in the incident and an investigation into the incident has been launched.