MEDAN, Indonesia, May 12, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Rescuers have discovered
the charred remains of at least seven people a day after a series of
explosions aboard an Indonesian oil tanker, and police said Tuesday
the toll could rise.
The dead were among dozens trapped on the 250-metre (820-foot) Jag
Leela when it burst into flames after several explosions at North
Sumatra’s Belawan port, one of the country’s busiest sea ports.
Firefighters aboard another boat battled for hours to extinguish
the inferno on the Indonesia flagged vessel, which was docked for
repairs.
“The deceased were among those trapped during the blaze. They
didn’t find a way out,” said local police spokesman MP Nainggolan.
DNA tests were being performed to identify badly burned victims,
and some crew were still missing, he added.
The blaze injured at least 22 people.
The cause of the explosions and fire was not yet known, authorities said.
Tina Siregar said two of her brothers may be among the dead.
“Both of them were working to repair the tanker,” she said.
“They were on board when this happened.”