Shipmaster: I believe that my three missing crewmen are still alive


Reviewing the incident: Saiful Lizan showing a picture of the engulfed vessel during a press conference at the Johor maritime headquarters in Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star

JOHOR BARU: Shipmaster Lepyoshkin Oleksandr thought he was at war when the Gabon-registered crude oil tanker ship under his command exploded after it caught fire some 60km northeast of Tanjung Sedili.

The 38-year-old Ukrainian said his crude oil carrier named MT Pablo was on its way from China to Singapore, when the incident took place at around 3pm on Monday.

Save 30% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 9.73/month

Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.63/month

Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Nation

Fuel prices Jan 22-28: RON97, unsubsidised RON95 up two sen nationwide, diesel up four sen in Peninsula
MACC: Only five reports on bribery involving Penang civil servants in 2025
Comms Ministry to focus on digital infrastructure, empowering creative industry in 2026, says Fahmi
Najib says no issue anticipated when appointing Nik Faisal account mandate holder
Blacklist foreign vehicles abusing fuel subsidy, urges backbencher
Former Perlis MB gave me travel agent's details, witness tells court
Kinabatangan by-election: Naim’s billboards draw attention to legacy, continuity
Cops bust syndicate, seize nearly RM1.5mil worth of drugs
Ex-Army chief, ex-Armed Forces chief to be charged for corruption, says MACC
Selangor govt probes alleged abuse at childcare�centre

Others Also Read