SINGAPORE, Nov 11 — All 165 passengers and seven crew members aboard a ferry travelling from Batam to Singapore were rescued after the vessel collided with a chemical tanker in Singapore waters yesterday, media reported, citing Indonesian authorities.

According to Batam News, which quoted the Batam Port Authority (KSOP), the Singapore-bound MV Horizon 9 struck the LA Digue, a Marshall Islands-flagged chemical tanker, at around 7.30pm Singapore time. 

The ferry had left Batam at about 3.30pm local time.

An official from KSOP told Indonesia’s Antara news agency that everyone on both vessels was safely evacuated to Singapore’s HarbourFront terminal. 

The bow of the ferry sustained damage, Antara added.Investigations are under way to determine the cause of the crash and assess any environmental impact, KSOP said. 

The agency added that it was working with Horizon Ferry and Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) to coordinate the inquiry.

One of the passengers, identified as Junaidi, told The Straits Times that the ferry “had suddenly swerved to the left” just before the collision.

“The ferry’s engine was then turned off,” the 43-year-old said, adding that he saw the vessel heading towards the side of the tanker.

“A loud bang was heard during the collision,” he said. 

“There was a slight commotion in the ferry as we initially thought that the damage was quite serious.”

He added that the crew assured passengers the damage was only minor and that authorities later escorted the ferry safely to HarbourFront terminal.

The Straits Times said it had contacted the MPA, national water agency PUB and Horizon Ferry for comment.