Three killed after boat explosion in Makassar

Three killed after boat explosion in Makassar

Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi

Three fishermen were killed and another severely injured after
explosives they were carrying exploded on Sunday in waters off
Lumu-Lumu island, some four hours by sea to the southwest of
Makassar, capital of South Sulawesi.

The three were Ilyas, 40, Sampara, 18, and Munir, 25.

The injured person is Hamzah, 17, who is now being treated at
Labuang Baji hospital, Makassar.

The fatal incident occurred at 2 p.m on Sunday when the four
set sail to catch fish. They lived on Lumu-Lumu, an island that
is part of Ujungtana district, Makassar municipality.

Hamzah, the survivor, recounted later on Monday that, while
the four were at sea, they saw a shoal of fish, which prompted
them to prepare and detonate explosives to kill the fish.

He said that Ilyas had already ignited the fuse to the
explosives, but he extinguished it, because the shoal quickly
broke up.

"The fuse was then set aside, and the explosives put back on
the boat. However, a few seconds later, I heard a loud explosion
and fell unconscious," said Hamzah, when interviewed on Monday at
the hospital.

Several other fishermen sailing in the area lent a helping
hand immediately, but it was too late. Ilyas and Sampara were
already dead on the boat, which was totally destroyed. Munir was
missing, probably because he was thrown from the boat and swept
away by waves.

Hamzah was lucky as he was later saved and evacuated by other
fishermen.

Ujungtana Police chief Adj. Comr. Abire confirmed the details
of the incident. He said that the explosives might have detonated
because the fuse had not been properly removed.

"Maybe the fuse was not completely removed so the explosives
ignited a few seconds after they had been stored," he said.

He said that Hamzah would be questioned as soon as he
recovered from his injures, as part of the investigation into the
incident. Hamzah suffered burns and bruising to his face, right
hand and other parts of his body.

Meanwhile, Abire acknowledged that it was common practice for
fishermen in Makassar to use explosives when fishing.

He said that police had called on fishermen not to use
explosives to catch fish, because they could both damage the
marine ecosystem and endanger the lives of the fishermen.

"However, the plea is usually ignored. We have also mounted
raids on fishermen but they are obstinate and still use
explosives," he said.