KM Citra Anugrah Carrying Easter Gas and Fuel Stocks Catches Fire, Two Crew Members Killed
A tragic incident occurred at Rauf Rahman Benteng Port on Monday, 16 March, when KM Citra Anugrah, a cargo vessel, suddenly exploded and caught fire. Two crew members (ABK) died in the incident, whilst two others sustained injuries.
The vessel, owned by H. Salam and captained by Aryadin, 40, was preparing to reposition its mooring at the port when a spark, allegedly from an exploding LPG gas cylinder, triggered a massive fire that rapidly consumed the entire ship.
According to witness accounts and on-site personnel, the sequence of events began when one crew member, Arif Jaya, 40, started the engine using the starter. Before the ship could move, a loud explosion erupted from within the cargo hold. Fire quickly spread across the vessel carrying thousands of mixed goods packages, including provisions, fuel oil (diesel and petrol), as well as 3-kilogramme and 12-kilogramme LPG cylinders.
The cargo was scheduled to be transported to Bonerate Island, Pasimarannu District, to meet community needs ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah.
The two fatal casualties were Captain Aryadin, resident of Waekomba Hamlet, Bonerate Village, Pasimarannu District, and crew member Arif Jaya from Barangka Hamlet, Majapahit Village, Pasimarannu District. Both are believed to have been trapped inside the vessel as the fire intensified.
Two other crew members survived despite injuries. Iksan, 45, from Waekomba Hamlet, Bonerate Village, was taken to the nearest health centre after suffering a fractured leg from jumping off the burning ship. Irfan, 35, from Tunggua Hamlet, Lamantu Village, Pasimarannu District, sustained only minor injuries.
Head of Selayar Islands Police, AKBP Didid Imawan, who arrived at the scene with a combined team, revealed preliminary findings regarding the fire’s cause. “Based on initial findings, the explosion is believed to have originated from a 12-kilogramme LPG cylinder found in a split condition. Gas leakage is suspected to have triggered an explosion when the ship’s engine was started, producing a spark that immediately ignited other flammable cargo,” explained the police chief at the incident site.
He added that the situation was tense due to thick black smoke billowing high across the harbour area.
Combined personnel from Selayar Police, the military, and related agencies worked to extinguish the fire and evacuate casualties. The firefighting operation lasted approximately two hours until the fire was completely extinguished.
As a result of the fire, KM Citra Anugrah was completely destroyed. Thousands of provisions and fuel packages that were meant to be the primary supply ahead of Eid for Pasimarannu District were also lost.
Related parties, including the Department of Transportation and Civil Service Police, will coordinate to address potential obstacles to logistics distribution to the island region.
Meanwhile, the two victims’ bodies have been handed over to their families for burial in Pasimarannu District. The families declined an autopsy, which has been accepted by the police. Nevertheless, the investigation will continue to determine the precise cause of the incident and to assess safety standards for transporting hazardous materials by sea.
“We will conduct further investigation, including the possibility of negligence in hazardous materials transport procedures. This is a serious matter to ensure similar incidents do not recur,” emphasised AKBP Didid Imawan.
By the time this report was published, the harbour area had returned to normal, though deep sorrow continued to envelop the families of the victims and the maritime community in the Selayar Islands.