Tragic Blaze Erupts on Tanker During Illegal Fuel Operation, Claiming Three Lives

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Four crew members of the tanker Ronggolawe 09 remain missing after an onboard explosion, followed by a fire in the waters close to Lamongan, Indonesia, on March 13, 2025. Three crew members died because of the fire, and a few others sustained burns.

The incident occurred when the tanker was conducting an illegal fuel transfer to the Rosalyn 08 tug.

The Ronggolawe 09 was reportedly transferring about 25 tonnes of high-speed diesel fuel to the tug at 5:30 a.m without official authorization.

The blast happened 30 minutes later, after which a fire broke out on the tanker and spread to the tug rapidly. All the crew members from both the vessels jumped into the waters to avoid the fire while the tanker drifted away, completely engulfed in raging flames.

Attempts to put out the fire began at 9:00 a.m, and the fire on the tug was extinguished by 10:00 am while the fire onboard the tanker could be reduced by 12:30 p.m.

Officers from East Java Police’s Water and Air Directorate, the Lamongan Police, and Lamongan Shorebase Port officials were sent to deal with the situation.

An investigation has been opened, and the search for the missing seafarers is ongoing.

After the fire was extinguished, the tanker sustained serious damage in its front and middle part, hence, it was towed to a beach close to the PT Lamongan Marine Industry shipyard.

Per authorities, there were 11 crew members aboard the tanker when the accident occurred.

References: Jakarta Post, Vessel Tracker

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