BATAM, Indonesia – A scene of chaos and devastation unfolded at a shipyard on Indonesia's Batam Island on Wednesday after a catastrophic fire and explosion engulfed a crude palm oil tanker, leaving at least 10 workers dead and 21 others injured, some critically.
The vessel was undergoing repairs at the PT ALS shipyard in the Tanjunguncang seaport when the disaster struck. According to Riau Islands Provincial Police Chief Asep Safrudin, the fire ignited in the ship's gas tank while numerous repair personnel were still working on board.
"The fire was followed by a powerful blast that prompted other workers to flee in panic," Safrudin stated, describing the terrifying moments as the explosion echoed across the industrial port, a key shipping hub located just south of Singapore.
Emergency services rushed to the scene as thick black smoke billowed from the tanker's hull. The immediate aftermath was grim: ten workers were confirmed deceased at the scene. Another 21 were evacuated and rushed to nearby hospitals to be treated for severe burn injuries. Safrudin confirmed that four of the injured are currently in critical condition, fighting for their lives.
As news of the tragedy spread, distraught and anxious relatives began to gather at the hospitals, desperately seeking information about their loved ones caught in the blast.
A Tragic History Repeated
In a shocking revelation, authorities confirmed this is the second deadly incident to occur on the very same vessel this year. The tanker, built in 2009, was the site of a similar accident in June that claimed the lives of four workers and injured five others. In that incident, an investigation determined that the fire was started by sparks from welding activities, with most victims succumbing to smoke inhalation.
The recurrence of such a disaster has raised serious questions about safety protocols and oversight at the shipyard.
"We are still investigating the cause of the fire and explosion and why the same incident in the same tanker could happen again, even with more victims than before," an audibly concerned Safrudin told reporters.
He announced that a full-scale investigation is now underway. Authorities will be scrutinizing whether negligence on the part of the shipyard operator, PT ALS, played a role in the fatal blast. The focus of the probe will be to determine if adequate safety measures were in place, especially given the vessel's tragic history, and why workers were permitted to carry out repairs in such a hazardous environment.