SHAH ALAM – A Turkish crewman on a tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) died and three others are reported to be in critical condition, after they were believed to have inhaled ammonia gas in international waters at West Port Klang yesterday.
Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) deputy director (operations) Norihan Ngah, who confirmed the matter, said the agency was alerted on the matter by a shipping agent at about 11pm yesterday.
Following which, members of the Selangor MMEA, along with the Hazardous Material Unit Team (Hazmat) of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, went to the location where the tanker, MV Hamburg DW, had anchored, southwest of Pulau Selat Kering, at about 3am today, to pick up the victims.
Besides the 62-year-old Turkish man who died on the tanker, three others – two more Turks and an Indian national aged 28 to 50 – were believed to have also inhaled the gas and are in critical condition, he said, adding that the three victims were sent to Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, Klang, for treatment upon arrival at the Pulau Indah MMEA jetty today.
The body was also be sent to the same hospital for post-mortem.
He said the Health Ministry and the police have been notified of the incident. – Bernama, April 7, 2021
