6 cedera parah, feri Pulau Pinang berlanggar

Six passengers aboard a Penang Island ferry sustained severe injuries after the vessel collided with another ship in the early hours of the evening, according to the Penang Bombardment Department. The incident, which occurred around 8 p.m., involved 92 people, with six of them critically injured and taken to the hospital. The department stated that the situation at the terminal was under control, with injured passengers taken to hospitals while others left the scene.

This marks the first collision involving seafaring ferry services since their operation began in August 2023. Earlier reports suggested the accident occurred while the ferry was en route to Butterworth Ferry Terminal from Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal on the same island. PPC Chairperson Yeoh Soon Hin, in a statement, said the collision involved Ferry Teluk Bahang and MV Mekar Jaya, which was reportedly moving from Butterworth Deep Water Dock to Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal.

Initial information indicated MV Mekar Jaya was reported to be in transit from Deep Water Dock Butterworth to Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal. Ferry operations resumed normally, with no lasting impact from the incident. The PPC, along with Penang Port Sdn. Bhd., will take all necessary measures to ensure any subsequent actions concerning the involved passengers and the overall safety and smooth functioning of the port operations are taken care of, he added.