21 people were injured, 6 of them seriously, after a ferryboat and an oil tanker collided near Penang Port in Malaysia on September 1st.
The collision occurred at ~8:40 p.m. local time. The Malaysian-flagged chemical tanker Mekar Jaya (IMO 8909953) was reportedly en route from Butterworth Deep Water Wharves toward Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal when it collided with the inland ferry Teluk Bahang (IMO 9977610), which was navigating toward Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal.
Malaysia’s Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) received an emergency call at ~9:58 p.m. Rescue personnel, supported by other emergency agencies, attended the scene and evacuated passengers from the ferry.
A total of 92 people, including passengers, were involved in the incident, according to JBPM. 21 people sustained injuries, with 6 classified as serious. All injured passengers were transported to hospital for medical treatment.
Ferry services subsequently returned to normal operation and were not reported to have suffered prolonged disruption as a result of the collision.
The Penang Port Commission has established a special task force involving commission officials and representatives of the ferry operator to investigate the circumstances of the incident. The ferry operator has also been instructed to review its operating procedures and assess whether any safety deficiencies contributed to the collision.
Authorities have not yet released details concerning the extent of damage sustained by either vessel or the condition of Mekar Jaya following the accident.