Tanker explosion off Malaysia leaves two dead

[Hannes van Rijn]

MALAYSIA: A Panama-flagged LPG tanker with 23 has crew exploded off Malaysia, killing two and injuring two others.

The 50,743dwt DL Calla was carrying LPG from Al Ruwais, United Arab Emirates, en route to Sri Racha, Thailand, as indicated by AISLive vessel tracking. The 1990-bulit vessel suffered a gas leakage that triggered an explosion in its gas pipe control room at South China Sea, 30 miles northeast of Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) was notified of the incident at 17.50 hours local time on 10 December and immediately dispatched patrol boat Penggalang 17 to aid the distressed vessel.

IHS Maritime data shows South Korean company Daelim Industrial owns the 1990-built ship.

Before the patrol arrived at the scene, the crew of DL Calla had already extinguished the blaze, but two crew members, one South Korean and other Myanmar national suffered severe burns and passed away shortly.

Meanwhile, another South Korean sustained cuts to his belly and a Myanmar national broke his right leg due to the incident. They have been sent onshore to Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital, Malaysia for treatment, while the vessel reported sustained minimal damage and has continued its voyage to Thailand.

DL Calla is insured by P&I Club Gard and John Martin, MD of Gard Singapore, told IHS Maritime that the explosion was a "tragic incident". He reassured that the insurance company would do their utmost in filing for claims to those affected by the incident.

Source IHS