Tanker sinks near Cilacap

CILACAP, Central Java: A tanker carrying 1,000 tons of liquid asphalt sank off Cilacap on Tuesday.

MT HHC sank because of a leak, according to the local office of state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina.

No fatalities were reported, and all 11 crew members onboard, including Captain Hendrik J. Takumangsan, were accounted for.

The tanker was on its way to Parepare, South Sulawesi.

Pertamina dismissed concerns of environmental damage, saying that the asphalt would have solidified and sank to the bottom of the sea.

But fishermen in the area have disputed the claim.

"We saw a black slick on the sea surface. Fishermen have always been the victims in cases like this," Atas Munandar, head of the local chapter of the Indonesian Fishermen Association, said.

Atas quickly recalled the MT King Fisher, which spilled 6,000 barrels of crude oil in the same area two months ago. (45/09)