Borneo Post Online, 27 July 2012
TANKER ON FIRE: A fire engulfing the chemical/palm oil tanker at a terminal in Labuan which claimed the life of a crew member. — Bernama photo
LABUAN: A fire on board a tanker of the Malaysia International Shipping Corporation (MISC) here early yesterday has left one crew dead and four missing.
An explosion during the fire, which occurred on board the vessel, Bunga Alpinia, at 2.30am, rocked Labuan.
MISC said in a statement that one of the crew of the tanker was
MISC tanker fire leaves one dead, four others missing
It also said that the identity of the deceased had yet to be confirmed.
“Currently, efforts are being made to put out the fire on board the vessel,” it said.
MISC said the vessel was loading methanol at the Petronas Chemicals Methanol Sdn Bhd terminal in Labuan at the time of the incident.
Labuan Fire and Rescue Department director Zainal Madasin said the search-and-rescue operation was temporarily halted at 6 pm for the breaking of the Ramadan fast and would resume soon after.
MISC said the respective families and next-of-kin of the crew members have been informed.
A hotline has been set up for the affected family members who want to obtain more information.
MISC said the 24 crew members brought ashore are safe.
In an earlier statement, the shipping company said the 38,000 DWT IMO II vessel had 29 crew, comprising 23 Malaysians and six Filipinos. — Bernama
Photo of Bunga Alpinia before incident.
Namelist
Dead:
Shahril Azmi bin Baharudin, Malaysian, 28 yrs, Male, Malacca.
Body taken to Labuan Nucleus Hospital.
Missing:
Muhammad Nazrin bin Khamsani, Malaysian, 20 yrs, Male, KL
Khalil bin Mohd Hanafi, Malaysian, 24 yrs, Male, Malacca
Zahari bin Hassim, Malaysian, 46, Male, Negeri Sembilan
Colanggoy Calaluan Errol, 22 yrs, Male, Filipino
Authorities Involved:
Police, Firefighting & Rescue Services, Hospital, APPM, Marine Police, Marine Department, RMAF, JPAM, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Department.
