Explosion Occurs in Forepeak Tank of Oil Product Carrier off Yeosu Yeondo Coast

Published 27 Apr.2023 10:01(KST)

5,600-ton Cargo Ship Warehouse Explosion Injures 2 Crew Members

Jeonnam Yeosu Maritime Police Station (Chief Park Je-su) announced, "An explosion occurred in the forepeak hold of an oil product carrier in the waters off Yeosu Yeondo, injuring two foreign crew members, but their lives are not in danger."

According to Yeosu Maritime Police, at around 8:57 PM on the 26th, an explosion occurred in the forepeak hold of the 5,600-ton oil product carrier A (19 crew members on board) approximately 17 km east of Yeondo, Yeosu City, resulting in burns to two foreign crew members, as reported by the captain.

[Photo by Yeosu Coast Guard]

Upon receiving the report, Yeosu Maritime Police dispatched seven patrol vessels, a rescue team, and one fireboat. Immediately upon arrival at the scene, the two burn patients were boarded onto a patrol vessel where a remote medical system was activated for emergency treatment. They were then urgently transported to land and handed over to the 119 ambulance service, which transferred them to a nearby hospital.

The burn patients are Indonesian crew members: Mr. S (46 years old, male) sustained burns on his face and both arms, and Mr. R (40 years old, male) suffered partial facial lacerations. The safety and health conditions of the other 17 crew members are reported to be normal.

According to the injured crew members, the explosion occurred the moment the light switch inside the hold was operated during the process of venting gas from an empty tank in the forepeak.

A Yeosu Maritime Police official stated, "An investigation will be conducted with the captain and crew members to ascertain the exact cause of the accident."

Yeosu = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Choi Cheol-hoon hss79@asiae.co.kr