Malaysia: 1 Killed, 4 Missing After Tanker Explodes In Labuan

Malaysia: 1 killed, 4 missing after tanker explodes in Labuan < br />

2012-07-27 04:49:04 GMT+7 (ICT)

KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least one person has been killed and four others remain missing after a methanol tanker exploded Thursday while docked in eastern Malaysia, officials said. Two dozen other crew members were able to escape safely.

The incident happened at approximately 2:30 a.m. local time when a fire broke out onboard the chemical/palm oil tanker Bunga Alpinia, which is owned by the Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC Berhad). The vessel was docked at the Petronas Chemicals Methanol Sdn Bhd terminal in Labuan.

Witnesses reported seeing at least two explosions after the fire broke out, and footage from the scene showed the vessel engulfed in flames. Officials said the vessel was loading methanol at the terminal when the fire broke out, but it was not immediately clear what caused it.

MISC Berhad spokeswoman Fiona Clare Pereira said a total of 29 crew members were on board at the time of the incident, of which 23 are Malaysians and 6 are Filipinos. "The Bunga Alpinia incident this morning has unfortunately resulted in a fatality whilst four other MISC crew members are still missing," she said.

Pereira said the identity of the victim has not yet been confirmed, but families of the five crew members have been informed about the developments. "The 24 crew members who are ashore are safe and unharmed," she added. "Further updates will be provided as and when necessary."

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