Around 20:00 on 25 January some parts of the engine experienced fuel leaks and cigarette butts coming down from the vents ignited the leaking fuel. The crews saw the fire and tried to snuff it out using portable fire extinguishers but failed. In the morning of 27 January there was an explosion in the engine room which created an entrance for the sea water to fill the compartments. Finally at 12:45 on 27 January (about 30 hours after the first spark) the ship sank to the bottom of the Java Sea.