The chief engineer of an Indonesian general cargo vessel is in a critical condition in hospital following a fire in the ship’s engine room yesterday morning at Tanjung Perak port in East Java.
The ship, Ise Baru, was due to sail to North Borneo when an explosion and ensuing fire broke out on the 29-year-old ship. The chief engineer suffered 80% burns and threw himself in the water where he was rescued and taken to hospital.
“At first it seemed a puff of smoke, and then the sound of an explosion. After that flames emerged from the vessel. Then all the crew scrambled to save themselves,” one of the crew told local media.
Authorities are still investigating how the accident happened. The fire was eventually doused after six hours. The vessel is owned by local firm Indah Lines.
