One killed in ship fire

DENPASAR, Bali: A man was killed when a fishing boat caught fire shortly after it departed from Benoa port in Bali last Sunday, Antara reported.

The boat, Samudera 11, was heading for the open sea when it caught fire. Its other 19 crew members were saved.

S. Simorangkir, director of PT PSB Benoa, which operates the ship, said Samudera 11 suffered extensive damaged as a result of the fire. The ship has been towed ashore.

Simorangkir said that this is the first time that an accident has occurred on one of the company's ships. The company, which has been in operation for 23 years, catches and exports tuna. (emb)