Chemical Transport Ship Catches Fire in Southeast Sulawesi Waters, Two Crew Members Dead
The Ministry of Transportation has announced that two of the 13 crew members aboard the LCT Legenda Nusantara 699 perished after the chemical transport ship caught fire in the Kabaena waters, Southeast Sulawesi, on Tuesday, 1 September 2026.
The Directorate General of Sea Transportation, through the Class II Raha Port Authority Office (UPP), alongside relevant agencies, conducted evacuation efforts following the fire on the LCT Legenda Nusantara 699 in the Tiworo Strait, Kabaena waters.
“All 13 crew members (person on board) were successfully evacuated from the scene. Of that number, two crew members—the Second Mate and the Third Oiler—have been reported dead,” said the Head of the Class II Raha Port Authority, Hamjan, in a statement confirmed in Baubasc, Southeast Sulawesi, on Thursday.
He also noted that following the incident, four crew members are undergoing intensive treatment at the Baharuddin Regional Hospital in Muna Regency, while the remaining seven crew members are safe.
Hamjan stated that upon receiving information regarding the incident, his office immediately coordinated with the Muna Police, the Raha Water Police, Basarnas Kendari Operations Staff, the Tampo Area of the Raha Port Authority, and other relevant agencies.
“As soon as we received information about the incident, we immediately coordinated with relevant agencies and deployed efforts to evacuate all crew members. The safety and rescue of the crew were the top priorities in this handling process,” said Hamjan.
He added that following the evacuation process, the authorities ensured that crew members requiring medical assistance received immediate care. “Once all crew members were successfully evacuated, we ensured that the victims received medical treatment according to their respective conditions. We are also continuously monitoring their progress,” Hamjan continued.
Authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the two crew members’ deaths through further examination and the collection of testimonies. Meanwhile, Hamjan urged the public to refrain from speculation until the official investigation results are released.
According to preliminary reports, the LCT Legenda Nusantara 699, travelling on the Jakarta-Morowali route and carrying heavy equipment and chemical cargo, experienced jolts from side waves which caused the cargo to shift. This shift is suspected to have caused a leak in an IBC tank containing chemicals. The leaking liquid then came into contact with the ship’s steel plates and other pallets or tanks, producing thick smoke and triggering flames.