Oil Tanker Catches Fire On Mentaya River In Sampit, Flames Still Burning
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| An oil tanker caught fire on the Mentaya River in Sampit during docking. Flames remain active as authorities investigate the cause of the incident. |
SAMPIT – An oil tanker caught fire while docked along the Mentaya River in Tanah Mas Village, Baamang District, Kotawaringin Timur Regency, Central Kalimantan, on Saturday afternoon.
The fire broke out at approximately 5:30 PM local time and quickly drew attention from nearby residents. Large flames were seen rising from the vessel well into the evening.
Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Kotawaringin Timur, Multazam, confirmed that the fire was still active as of Saturday night.
“The fire is still active. This involves fuel top-up and engine-related components,” he said.
Firefighters Work To Prevent Spread
Dozens of firefighters, assisted by local volunteers, were deployed to the scene to control the situation. Their main priority is to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby vessels and docking facilities.
Initial reports indicate that the tanker was undergoing repairs at a docking facility owned by a company when the fire occurred.
Search and rescue personnel are also expected to arrive at the scene to assist with emergency operations.
Cause Of Fire Still Under Investigation
Tanah Mas Village Head Ridowan confirmed the incident but stated that authorities are still gathering information regarding the timeline and cause of the fire.
“At this point, we do not yet know the exact cause, whether it was due to human error or another factor,” he explained.
He emphasized that the tanker belonged to a company and was undergoing maintenance at the time of the incident.
Docking Area Considered High Risk
Ridowan added that the location is commonly used as a technical hub for vessel maintenance. Various types of ships, including barges and tugboats, regularly dock there for repairs.
Technical activities such as welding are frequently carried out in the area, which inherently carries a higher risk of fire hazards.
“Repair work often involves welding on damaged or leaking parts of the vessel,” he added.
No Fuel Distribution Activity At Location
Addressing circulating rumors, Ridowan clarified that the site is not used for fuel distribution activities.
“I want to make it clear that there is no fuel loading or unloading activity there. It is purely a ship repair facility,” he stressed.
No Casualties Reported Yet
As of now, authorities have not released any official information regarding material losses or possible casualties.
Emergency teams remain on site conducting cooling operations to ensure no hidden fire sources remain and to prevent reignition.
FAQ
1. Where did the tanker fire occur?
The fire occurred on the Mentaya River in Tanah Mas Village, Baamang District, Sampit.
2. When did the incident happen?
Saturday at around 5:30 PM local time.
3. What caused the fire?
The cause is still under investigation.
4. Were there any casualties?
No official reports of casualties have been released.
5. Was the site used for fuel distribution?
No, the location is strictly a ship repair facility.
