Supertanker Rams Cargo Ship Off Malaysia; 29 Feared Dead

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — A supertanker rammed an Indian-registered cargo ship in the Strait of Malacca, where thick smoke from bush fires burning out of control obscured visibility, survivors said Saturday.

Officials said 29 crew members of the Vikraman were missing and feared dead after the vessel sank late Friday south of Port Dickson, about 70 miles southwest of Kuala Lumpur, the capital.

Capt. Cartik Venghatraman of the Vikraman and four other people were rescued. The five said the St. Vincent-registered supertanker rammed into the middle of the Vikraman about 11 p.m. Friday, naval operations officer Osman Hashim said by telephone. The cargo ship sank within five minutes, he said.

Visibility in the area was about one mile.

Several feet of the Vikraman remained above water, making it possible that some of the missing might still be alive, he said.

The supertanker reported no casualties, and the Marine Department said there were no oil spills.

It was the second collision in the Strait of Malacca since hazardous levels of smog have blanketed Malaysia and other Southeast Asian nations in the last two months.

On Sept. 20, two cargo vessels collided in the strait, though there were no casualties or major damage reported.

Malaysian Deputy Transport Minister Ali Rustam said investigators were trying to determine if the haze was a factor.

“In view of the haze situation, all vessels plying the Strait of Malacca should be more cautious,” he said.