Ambon Port Porter Falls During Struggle to Board Ship

A porter named Saleh Latuconsary fell from a ladder while struggling to board a ship that had recently docked at Yos Soedarso Port, Ambon, Maluku. The victim sustained injuries after striking the edge of the ladder and falling onto the port floor.

“There are 400 porters at the port, so we have to scramble to get onto the ship to secure passengers’ luggage,” said Saleh, as reported on Saturday (5/9/2026).

The incident, which went viral on social media, occurred at Yos Sudarso Port, Ambon, on Thursday (3/9) at 03:00 WIT. The porters were initially competing to climb the ladder to jump onto the ship.

“At that time, I was at the front. The distance between the passenger gangway and the ship’s hull had not yet closed. Due to an imbalance, I jumped from the ladder to the ship but fell,” he explained.

After falling, his chin initially struck the edge of the iron ladder. He then landed face down, with his chest striking the port floor with significant force.

“Fortunately, my head did not hit the iron railings of the ladder. Only my chest hit the port floor hard,” Saleh revealed.

Saleh attempted to stand and walk three steps, but due to intense chest pain, police, port officials, and other porters advised him to rest in the port area.

“By the third step, I could no longer endure it because my chest felt extremely painful. I chose to lie down before the port vehicle arrived to transport me to the hospital,” he explained.