Oil Tanker Fire Claims Lives in Batam City
Maintenance Incident at Shipyard Leads to Tragic Outcome
A devastating fire on an Indonesian-flagged oil tanker in Batam City has resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, sending shockwaves through the local community. The incident occurred during maintenance work at a shipyard, prompting an immediate emergency response and investigation into its cause.
Tragic Loss of Life
The Batuaji Police reported that four workers died, and five others sustained injuries in the fire that consumed the Federal II oil tanker. Adjunct Commissioner Raden Bimo Dwi Lambang of the Batuaji Police confirmed the details. The deceased were identified as Gunawan, Berkat Setiawan Gulo, Hermansyah Putra, and Januarius. Their remains were taken to the Bhayangkara Police Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
The injured survivors included Alatas Silaban, Upik Hidayat, Amel Rivensky Nababan, Benny Silaban, and Rezki Harianto Butarbutar. Four of the injured are receiving treatment at local hospitals, including Graha Hermine and Mutiara Aini.
“The internal safety personnel of the shipyard conducted firefighting and evacuation efforts due to restricted access,”
—Adjunct Commissioner Raden Bimo Dwi Lambang, Batuaji Police Chief
According to a 2023 report from the International Maritime Organization, around 2,500 ship fires occur annually worldwide, highlighting the persistent risks within the maritime industry (IMO).
Details of the Incident
The Federal II, a floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel, caught fire around 2:15 p.m. local time. The incident happened while the tanker was docked at PT ASL Shipyard Indonesia in Tanjung Uncang, Batam City. Police officers secured the shipyard perimeter and collaborated with site authorities to ensure that all victims were transported to local hospitals, Lambang added.
The cause of the fire is under investigation as authorities assess the damage and gather information to determine the factors leading to the tragic event. The focus remains on supporting the injured and the families of those who lost their lives.
