A speedboat caught fire at the Nusa Penida port shortly after 85 passengers had boarded. Fortunately, no one was injured. The suspected cause of the fire is believed to be an engine short circuit.
Boats transporting tourists in Indonesia frequently experience technical issues, and sometimes even more serious incidents. Just last year, a tourist boat sank near Komodo, and a similar vessel caught fire near Raja Ampat.
The condition and oversight of Indonesia’s marine tourism fleet raise concerns. It’s highly recommended to use trusted and safe operators, such as those provided by mybalitrips.com.
According to Agus Widono, head of the Klungkung Police Press Office, an explosion occurred seconds after the engine was started. The crew noticed smoke and flames coming from one of the engines.
The boat crew and port staff reacted quickly, using two small fire extinguishers—one from the boat and another from the port area. The fire was successfully extinguished within two minutes.
“No passengers were injured, and everyone is safe,” stated AKP Widono. The exact cause of the fire is still unknown, but it is suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit.
Although the incident ended safely, passengers were visibly distressed, as seen in videos showing their hurried evacuation from the vessel.
After an inspection by the port authorities and the captain, the fast boat was cleared for its next trip to Sanur. The vessel sustained no serious damage, and the remaining four engines were confirmed to be fully operational.
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