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North Maluku candidate Benny Laos, five others die in boat fire
Benny Laos, a local businessmen who was making his second bid for the North Maluku governorship, was killed along with five other people while traveling to a campaign event in Taliabu Island regency on Saturday, when the boat carrying him and at least 31 other passengers and crew exploded during a refueling stop.
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Police officers and residents battle a boat fire on Oct. 12, 2024 at Bobong Port in Taliabu Island regency, North Maluku. The speedboat was carrying at least 32 people, including North Maluku gubernatorial candidate Benny Laos, campaign officials and crew, when it exploded while refueling, according to a police statement. (Antara/Handout/Taliabu Police)
North Maluku gubernatorial candidate Benny Laos was killed on Saturday, when a speedboat carrying him and several members of his campaign team was engulfed by fire.
The boat explosion and subsequent fire occurred at around 2:05 p.m. Eastern Indonesia Time at Bobong Port in Taliabu Island regency, North Maluku, leading to the deaths of six people, including Benny.
The Bella 72 speedboat, reportedly belonging to Benny, was docked at Bobong Port for refueling when it exploded, leading to a fire that consumed the vessel, according to a statement from the Ternate office of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).
Prior to the explosion, Taliabu Police deputy chief Comr. Sirajudin boarded the boat to check Benny’s condition and warned the crew to be on the alert during the process.
According to Sirajudin’s statement following the incident, the speedboat’s engine, a generator and several onboard electrical appliances were turned on during the refueling process, Tempo.co reported.
“Five minutes after the deputy chief and his subordinates [disembarked], the boat exploded,” Taliabu Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Totok Handoyo said on Saturday, as quoted by Tempo.co.
Totok added that Benny and his entourage were heading to a campaign event in Kawalo village in the regency’s West Taliabu district when the incident occurred.
