A politician and members of his entourage are among six people to have died in a fiery speedboat explosion.
The vessel was carrying at least 32 people when it suddenly burst into flames on Saturday (12 Oct) afternoon.
The blast happened as the boat was being refuelled at port.
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Horror snaps show the vessel half-submerged in the sea with its top blown off.
Intense flames and thick, black smoke can be seen billowing from the wreckage.
According to reports, 25 people were evacuated and 10 were taken to hospitals with light injuries.
North Maluku gubernatorial candidate Benny Laos was among those who died in the blast at Bobong Regional Port in Pulau Taliabu, Indonesia.
Cecilia Octavia Mbotengu of the Bobong Regional Hospital told local media: “All the medical staff did their best to treat Benny Laos.
“But at 5:20pm the attending doctors declared him deceased.”
The other victims have been named as Ester Tantry, Hamdani Boamonabot, Mubin A. Wahid, Nasrun, and Mahsudin Ode Muisi.
Tantry was a member of the North Maluku Provincial DPRD and Brig. Boamonabot was Laos’s police escort.
Wahid was chair of the North Maluku Regional United Development Party (PPP).
Laos’s running mate Sabrin Sehe was among the survivors, as reported by Need To Know.
The speedboat reportedly belonged to Laos, 52, and was planning to depart for Kawalo Village, West Taliabu District, for a campaign.
The engine, a generator, and several onboard electrical appliances were turned on while the boat was being refuelled, according to reports.
The North Maluku Regional Police are investigating the tragedy.
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