An oil tanker caught fire off the coast of Batam, Indonesia, on Tuesday, and the blaze killed 10 crew members, local police said. The vessel was anchored near the busy port when the sudden fire erupted, forcing the crew to abandon ship.
Police officials rushed to the scene after receiving an alarm. Fire and rescue teams arrived within minutes and worked to extinguish the flames and rescue the remaining crew. Despite their efforts, eight sailors were found dead at the location and two others are believed to have died later in the hospital, police confirmed.
The tanker was carrying a cargo of refined petroleum products. Early reports suggest the fire may have started due to an electrical fault, but investigators have not yet ruled out other possible causes such as a spill or maintenance issue.
Local authorities are calling the incident a tragedy for the region. Governor of Bintan said the government would provide support to the families of the victims and would review safety procedures for oil transport in the area. The incident underscores ongoing concerns over maritime safety near Indonesia’s busy shipping lanes.
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