Malaysian tanker blast kills one

Malaysian tanker blast kills one

PORT DICKSON, Malaysia (AFP): One crewman was killed and another injured on Monday in an explosion aboard a Malaysian- registered tanker off Port Dickson, police said.

The MT Petro Stella, carrying 500 tons of gas and 3,326 tons of diesel, was en route to the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island when the blast occurred, they said.

An Indonesian was killed and a Malaysian was injured, they said. The 18 other crew members were unhurt.

Pressure which built up below the front part of the ship caused the explosion, police said. Witnesses said there was no fire.

The tanker was contracted to transport oil for Esso. The registered owner is a company called Shipet Maritime Sdn. Bhd., which is owned by a Singaporean, police said.