BUTTERWORTH, Sept 2 — A ship collided with a Penang ferry near the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal (PSAH) last night, injuring 21 people.
Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin confirmed that a collision involving the ferry Teluk Bahang and the vessel MV Mekar Jaya occurred within the Penang Port limits at 8.40 pm.
He said initial information indicated that the MV Mekar Jaya was en route from the Butterworth Deep Water Wharves (BDWW) to the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT).
“The collision occurred between the vessel and the ferry, which was heading to the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal. Initial reports say 21 people were injured.
“All injured passengers have been taken to hospital for treatment. No victims remain at PSAH. Ferry operations are running as usual and have not been affected by the incident,” he said in a statement last night.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) operations and fire division assistant director John Sagun Francis said the department received an emergency call about the incident at 9.58 pm. A team from the Butterworth Fire and Rescue Station was then dispatched to the scene.
“Upon arrival, officers found that the accident involved the passenger ferry Teluk Bahang and a ship. A total of 92 people, including passengers, were involved in the incident, and initial reports indicate that six suffered severe injuries and have been sent to hospital,” he said.
Earlier, video clips on social media showed several motorcycles lying on their sides inside the ferry after the collision. — Bernama
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