Pirates Attack Tugboat Crew in Indonesia, Steal Cash and Equipment

A tugboat and barge crew fell victim to a group of pirates who overpowered and robbed them, as reported by local police. The crew, consisting of 14 members, was aboard the tug named Royal TB 17, transporting a barge from Bagendang Port in Kalimantan to Stagen in Indonesia. The incident occurred near Tanjung Malatayur in the southern part of the island, where five masked men armed with knives and firearms attacked the vessel.

The pirates seized the crew and proceeded to rob them of over $1,000 in cash, 21 mobile phones, nine communication radios, and various equipment from the tug and barge, including a radar unit, binoculars, and GPS. Additionally, they stole the cargo of FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester). The crew was taken hostage on September 20, a day after departing from port, and their release details remain unclear. Authorities are conducting interviews with the crew to gather more information about the incident and providing medical attention to the traumatized individuals.

Indonesian authorities are committed to apprehending the perpetrators responsible for the attack on the Royal 17. While piracy incidents have been reported in the region, they are more commonly seen in and around the Singapore Strait. Typically, these crimes involve theft of supplies or equipment, with minimal interaction between the crew and the perpetrators. Despite previous successes in curbing pirate activities, regional authorities continue to caution against such incidents.

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