KM Lambelu
The 136 meter long, 3685 dwt passenger ship KM Lambelu ran aground near Tarakan Island, Indonesia. The vessel departed with 576 passengers bound for Port Tunontaka Nunukan. While off Tarakan, the KM Lambelu was forced to conduct an emergency maneuver to avoid striking the anchored coal barge MV Sea Opal. The KM Lambelu was able to avoid the barge, but the passenger ship steered into shallow waters of just 2 to 3 meters in depth. No reports of injuries.
Reports states that all the passengers from the KM Lambelu were safely evacuated. Using five rescue boats, the passengers were taken to Port Malundung. Four tugboats were dispatched to the scene. Their initial attempts to pull the KM Lambelu to deeper water were not successful. Reports state further attempts to free the passenger ship will be made.
