Tanker Catches Fire in Malaysian Waters, 1 Missing

Photo: This photo, released by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, shows smoke rising from the MT Samudera ship at the Kukup Jetty Terminal in Pontian, Johor, southern Malaysia.

One crewman is believed to have died after an Indian-owned tanker caught fire in Malaysian waters. There were a total of 23 mariners aboard the vessel at the time of the incident, while the ship was heading to Bangladesh.

Flames erupted in the tanker’s engine room late Sunday, but have now been contained.

A crewmember working in the engine room is still unaccounted for. 22 others were rescued by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. Two crewmen who sustained burns were being treated for their injuries.

The MT SAMUDERA was not carrying any cargo at the time of the blaze. Officials say there is no immediate threat of sinking, and the tanker will not affect passing ship traffic as it is outside the Malacca Strait.