Fisherman killed in boat gas tank explosion

MERSING - A fisherman was killed when the boat's air-conditioner gas tank exploded off the waters of Pulau Tinggi, here this morning.

Mersing district police chief Supt Abdul Razak Abdullah Sani said the 43-year-old fisherman, Muhammad Arodi Sulaiman, succumbed to head injuries at the scene of the incident at about 7am today.

He said the fisherman's 59-year-old friend, Mamat Man, sustained serious injuries and is being treated at Mersing Hospital, while the boat’s skipper Mohd Ariffin Mohamed, 57, suffered light injuries whereas crew member Mohd Azri Che Soh, 43. escaped unhurt.

"The incident is believed to have happened when the four men had gone fishing in the boat. While three of them were asleep, the fourth steered the boat in the waters off the island.

"However, there was an explosion in the compartment that houses the air-conditioner's gas cylinder. The boat is still in working condition and will be brought back to Endau jetty for further investigations," he said in a statement today.

In a separate statement, Mersing zone Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Maritime Commander Suhaizan Saadin said the incident happened about four nautical miles northwest of Pulau Tinggi.

He said according to the boat's skipper there was a loud explosion believed to have come from the direction of the boat's engine area, and this was followed by a burst of fire, which hit a crew member. - BERNAMA