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.