8-8-2024 (JAKARTA) A devastating fire engulfed a fuel tanker in the early hours of Wednesday morning near Gili Tepekong, off the coast of Karangasem, Bali, resulting in the tragic loss of five crew members’ lives. The incident has sent shockwaves through the maritime community and local authorities, prompting an immediate investigation into the cause of the blaze.
The ill-fated vessel, identified as the Elisabeth Tanker, was en route to Badas, Sumbawa, in West Nusa Tenggara, carrying a cargo of fuel when disaster struck. According to police, the ship was manned by a crew of 21 when an explosion rocked the vessel’s mess area upon reaching the waters near Gili Tepekong.
“One of the crew members investigated the explosion, only to discover several of his colleagues already engulfed in flames,” in a statement on Wednesday. The situation rapidly deteriorated as the fire spread to the engine room, forcing the captain to abort the journey and issue a distress call to nearby Tanjung Manggis for urgent assistance.
As the inferno intensified, the crew scrambled to the master station, but tragically, five members were unable to escape the blaze. The remaining survivors faced a harrowing ordeal, with three individuals sustaining severe burns necessitating their immediate transfer to Ngoerah Hospital in Denpasar for critical care. Twelve others received treatment at Graha Bhakti Hospital in Klungkung, while the remaining crew members stayed aboard the stricken vessel.
The incident has raised serious questions about maritime safety protocols and emergency response procedures. Local authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion and subsequent fire. “We are meticulously examining all aspects of this tragic event to understand how it unfolded and to prevent similar occurrences in the future,” police added.
