Five Dead in Indonesian Tanker Explosion
A tragic explosion aboard the Indonesian tanker Elisabet Satu has resulted in the deaths of five crew members, with several others seriously injured. The incident occurred on August 7, shortly after the vessel, loaded with fuel, had departed port and was en route to Badas Port in Sumbawa.
According to reports from local authorities and eyewitness accounts, the first sign of trouble was a fire that broke out in the tanker’s engine room around 01:18 hrs. This initial blaze was soon followed by a powerful explosion on the port side, culminating in a larger explosion in the engine room. The vessel’s captain, Muhamad Haris Al Razak, described the sequence of events, stating, “There were explosions, and then the ship lost all power (blackout). We immediately called for assistance from the operations post at Tanjung Mangis.”
Elisabet Satu, a 3,639 dwt tanker built in 2016, is owned by Jakarta-based Arta Samudera Line. At the time of the accident, there were 21 crew members on board. The explosion and subsequent fire claimed the lives of five seafarers in the engine room, while at least three others suffered severe burns and were placed in intensive care. An additional 12 crew members sustained injuries; three were hospitalized, while the remaining nine were treated as outpatients and later released.
Engine Room Blast on Elisabet Satu Claims Multiple Lives, Leaves Crew Members Injured
The tanker had only been at sea for an hour when the disaster struck, highlighting the sudden and devastating nature of the incident. The ship, which had departed from the Manggis BBM Terminal, was carrying a significant load of fuel. Following the explosions, emergency procedures were activated, and firefighting efforts commenced.
By Friday, the fire on Elisabet Satu had been successfully extinguished, and the vessel was stabilized, anchored approximately 5.5 kilometers from the Manggis BBM Terminal. Cooling procedures were completed to prevent any further incidents.
Budi Kurniawan, Operations Manager for Arta Samudera Line, expressed deep condolences to the victims and their families. In a statement quoted by Nusa Bali, he affirmed the company’s commitment to taking full responsibility for the incident’s impact, stating, “The company will take full responsibility for the impacts caused by this incident. We also express our deepest condolences to the victims and their families affected by the incident on the MT Elisabet Satu ship.”
As investigations continue into the cause of the explosion, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with maritime operations, particularly on vessels carrying hazardous materials like fuel. The focus now shifts to providing support to the affected families and conducting a thorough inquiry to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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