BUTTERWORTH: The crew member who was killed as a result of a fire onboard a ship off the Penang coast last night has been identified as a Myanmar national.
Four of his countrymen, as well as a Korean national, were also injured in the incident.
This was relayed to the New Straits Times by a Penang Port Sdn Bhd spokesman today.
"A press statement will be issued later today," she said when contacted.
The explosion is said to have been triggered by a gas canister.
A Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said the blaze occurred while the ship was cruising.
"We received a distress call to request our help from the port authority.
"The five people were taken ashore to receive medical treatment," he said.
A Civil Defence Department spokesman, meanwhile, said they were alerted of the incident at 10.45pm.
However, the ship's management had asked the authorities to stand by at the port.
"The ship berthed at 11.30pm and asked the authorities to come onboard to render aid.
"The victim and five people were brought down from the ship before being sent to the Seberang Jaya Hospital," said the spokesman.
The victim's family members are expected to claim his body from the mortuary today.
Details on the cause of the fire are still unavailable.