TEMPO.CO, Pekanbaru - The motor vessel KM Putra Sejahtera 89 carrying basic commodities was submerged in Siak River, Pekanbaru, Riau Province.

“The total loss is predicted around Rp4 billion,” said the shipowner Hariyanto in Pekanbaru on Friday, May 15.

He explained that the boat was submerged when it was about to depart from a harbor in Limapuluh district to Tanjung Balai Karimun, Riau Island, at 5:30 a.m. local times.

He claimed the incident was caused by strong currents in Siak River, the country’s deepest river. “Due to strong currents, when we tried to turn the ship, it suddenly capsized and sank,” Hariyanto recalled, adding that it was loaded with 80 tons of commodities.

As soon as the boat sank, people around the area looted the goods, such as biscuits, instant noodles, cooking oil, eggs, and other basic needs.

Residents snatched items using canoes, and some even swam to the sunken boat to take them. “All commodities are looted, I cannot prohibit them because there are too many people, about 1,000 to 2,000,” Hariyanto said. However, he reported that six boat crews survived the incident.

The Pekanbaru Sea and Coast Guard Unit (KPLP) commander Rian Erlindo said his side immediately evacuated the staple goods from the boat once he received the report. “We also keep the people from looting,” he said.

ANTARA