Ministry of Transport reports two crew members dead following ship fire in Southeast Sulawesi
Baubau, Southeast Sulawesi (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Transport has stated that two of the 13 crew members on board the LCT Legenda Nusantara 699 died after the chemical transport vessel caught fire in the Kabaena waters, Southeast Sulawesi, on Tuesday (1/9/2026).
The Directorate General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transport, through the Class II Raha Port Authority Office (UPP), alongside relevant agencies, conducted evacuation efforts following the accident involving 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 Third Oiler—have been reported dead,” said the Head of the Class II Raha UPP Office, Hamjan, in a statement confirmed in Baubau, Southeast Sulawesi, on Thursday.
He also reported that following the incident, four crew members are undergoing intensive care at RSUD Baharuddin, 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, Raha Water Police, Basarnas Kendari Operations Staff, the Raha UPP Tampo Working Area, 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 members were the top priorities in this handling,” said Hamjan.
He added that following the evacuation process, his office ensured that crew members requiring medical assistance received immediate treatment.
“After all crew members were successfully evacuated, we ensured that the victims received medical treatment according to their respective conditions. We are also continuing to monitor the development of their condition,” Hamjan continued.
Authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the two crew members’ deaths through further examination and the collection of statements.
Meanwhile, Hamjan urged the public not to speculate until the official results of the investigation are released.
According to initial 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 cargo shift is suspected to have caused an IBC tank containing chemicals to leak. The leaking liquid then came into contact with the ship’s steel plates and other pallets or tanks, producing thick smoke and triggering flames.
Following the fire, the LCT Legenda Nusantara 699 is reported to have sunk, while the chemical cargo is reported to have spilled into the waters.
Currently, the Directorate General of Sea Transportation continues to coordinate with relevant agencies to anticipate and manage the impact of the chemical spill on the marine environment, while maintaining priority on the safety of lives and the protection of the marine ecosystem.