RI freighter sinks in Malacca

RI freighter sinks in Malacca

KUALA LUMPUR: An Indonesian freighter caught fire and sank in
the Strait of Malacca while on course for Dumai in Riau on
Wednesday, a local daily reported.

The freighter's five crew members were saved by Malaysian ship
Ragamas 4.

Capt. Efendi Abdullah told Utusan daily that the ship's engine
room and cargo hold caught fire two hours after departure from
Malacca port. Efendi and his crew jumped into the sea with life
buoys because strong winds made it difficult for them to douse
the fire.

The freighter was carrying peanuts, soybean, garlic, mung
beans, biscuits and onions.

Abdullah said he saved many documents, including the crew's
seamanship papers.