Explosion at waters off Batu Pahat hurts six

PETALING JAYA (Dec 15): Six crew members were injured in an explosion involving a gas tanker and a pilot boat in the waters off Batu Pahat yesterday, reported the Malay Mail.

The incident was relayed to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) through a distress call from the victims.

Five officers were immediately dispatched after the agency received the report, said Batu Pahat MMEA maritime zone director Commander Mohamad Othman.

The officers found that an explosion happened on the pilot boat that was docked besides the gas tanker that was transferring items.

“Four crewmen from the pilot boat and two others from the tanker, aged between 29 and 48, suffered burn injuries due to exposure to the explosion,” he said.

The victims have been sent to the Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital in Batu Pahat for further treatment.

Meanwhile, the agency’s Batu Pahat maritime zone is investigating the incident.