KOTA TINGGI: A 42-year-old Indonesian ship crew member was killed while four other crew members were injured in a fire which broke out onboard an oil tanker in eastern Johor.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Johor acting director, Maritime Captain Kama Azri Kamil said the incident took place on Wednesday (Aug 7).
He said fishermen passing the area at 6pm saw the burning tanker bearing the name of MT 108 at 36 nautical miles or 66.67km of eastern Tanjung Sedeli Kechil.
“The Johor Baru Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) received the report on the incident from the fishermen at 9.30pm,’’ Maritime Captain Kama Azri said in a statement.
He said search and rescue operation (SAR) was activated with patrol vessel KM Satria heading to the site assisted by patrol boats Perkasa 30 from Tanjung Sedili Maritime Zone and Penggalang 43 from Mersing Maritime Zone respectively.
“Initial investigation and information shared with police found the five crew were rescued and brought to the shore by a nearby boat,’’ added Maritime Captain Kama Azri.
He said the deceased, a 42-year-old Indonesian was brought to Kota Tinggi Hospital for post-mortem, while the other four crew – a Malaysian and three Indonesians aged between 31 and 49, were admitted to Sultan Ismail Hospital in Pandan, Johor Baru.
“MRSC is still investigating the total number of the tanker crew and the SAR covers an area of eight sq ft,’’ said Maritime Captain Kama Azri.
