Indonesia, Oct. 13 -- North Maluku governor candidate Benny Laos has died after the Bella 72 speedboat that he boarded caught fire at the Bobong village port in the province's Taliabu Island District on Saturday afternoon.

"Despite efforts exerted to save him at 5:20 p.m. local time (UTC +9), the doctors declared that Benny Laos has died," Bobong Public Hospital Head Cecilia Octavia Mbotengu said on Saturday evening.

The late governor candidate died at the age of 52 and became one of six people who died in the Bella 72 speedboat fire.

Five other casualties comprised a member of the North Maluku Legislative Body from the Democratic Party, Ester Tanri; the North Maluku-based United Development Party (PPP) leader, Mubin A. Wahid, and thre...