Malaysia

Luxury yacht goes up in flames in Pulau Gaya

Smoke from wreckage could be seen all the way from Kota Kinabalu

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 21 Aug 2021 1:53PM

Luxury yacht goes up in flames in Pulau Gaya
Fire on the vessel, which once ferried tourists around on scenic cruises, in Pulau Gaya this morning. – ESSAM ABDULLAH/The Vibes pic, August 21, 2021

by Essam Abdullah

KOTA KINABALU – A luxury yacht that once offered cruises for tourists caught fire near Pulau Gaya here today.
  
In the 9.20am incident, the vessel was sailing from Kg Torong Logong when it suddenly caught fire.
  
Residents nearby helped douse the flames before the Fire and Rescue Department team’s arrival.  

Heavy smoke from the wreckage could be seen billowing all the way from the state capital here, about 6km away from the site.

Smoke billowing from the wreckage as Fire and Rescue Department teams attempt to put the flames out. – ESSAM ABDULLAH/The Vibes pic, August 21, 2021
Smoke billowing from the wreckage as Fire and Rescue Department teams attempt to put the flames out. – ESSAM ABDULLAH/The Vibes pic, August 21, 2021


  
A Kota Kinabalu Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said an emergency call was received at 9.30am. 

A team then rushed to the location from Jesselton Jetty on a marine police boat.

The fire was brought under control at 10.37am.  

“Almost 90% of the boat was destroyed by the fire and no casualties were reported,” he told The Vibes today.

The cause of the fire and estimated losses are still under investigation by the department’s forensic unit. – The Vibes, August 21, 2021

Related News

Opinion / 1w

The Malaysia Agreement 1963: Grievances and expectations in Sabah and Sarawak

Malaysia / 2w

Budget 2027: Sabah, Sarawak to receive RM34.9b in federal allocations next year

Events / 2w

Sarawak and Sabah play key roles in weathering climate change

Malaysia / 3w

Address security concerns and let concert proceed – former Sabah CM

Malaysia / 1mth

A message from our publisher and chairman

Malaysia / 1mth

Fire breaks out at SK Setia Alam (video)

Spotlight

Malaysia

Sarawak DUN to be dissolved on Monday, October 26 – Abang Jo

Malaysia

Architect with 'Datuk' title pleads not guilty to molesting senior police officer's son

World

Strange creature spotted near US-Mexico border

Malaysia

Akmal says public donations hit RM174k, redirects funds to the needy

Malaysia

Illegal temple in Klang used to store drugs

Malaysia

Individual posing as aide to Raja Muda of Selangor causes RM700,000 in losses

Malaysia

Penang to seek greater clarification over Waze ban

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Ismail Lasim insists he remains Negeri Sembilan MB

You may be interested

Malaysia

Rumours of Sarawak DUN dissolution rife; To be announced tomorrow?

Malaysia

Banks offer repayment relief to families of 54 missing in Nepal disaster

Malaysia

Bandar Utama schoolgirl stabbing: Court allows media coverage, orders teenager’s identity protected

Malaysia

18-rating does not exempt films from censorship rules, says ministry

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Sabah gets 5,555 approvals to transfer diesel subsidy to actual vehicle users

Malaysia

PN’s Melaka election status faces fresh legal challenge as RoS appeals stay

Malaysia

Ismail Lasim insists he remains Negeri Sembilan MB

Malaysia

Waze ban hinges on security review, availability of alternative - PM