Blast kills one on ferry in Sekupang, Indonesia

One person was killed in an explosion and a subsequent fire on a passenger ferry in the Port of Sekupang in Indonesia’s Riau Islands province on Wednesday, June 8.

The incident occurred at 21:45 local time as the fast ferry Dumai Line 5 was about to commence bunkering at the port.

Officials said the explosion was followed by a blaze that ignited in the luggage compartment. The flames then quickly spread throughout the vessel.

The fire was extinguished within two hours. However, one crewmember was killed while four others suffered burn injuries and were rushed to hospital.

Local media has reported that a sixth crewmember had jumped overboard as the vessel was being engulfed in flames. No trace of this individual has yet been found.

Emergency response teams are continuing to monitor the incident site for pollution as well as any sign of the missing crewmember.

Dumai Line 5 had no embarked passengers when the incident occurred.