Deadly Truck Accident In Arfak Mountains Kills 16 People

MANOKWARI - At least 16 people have died and 13 others are in critical condition in the fatal accident of a truck at Kilometer 10, Minyambou District, Arfak Mountains Regency (Pegaf), West Papua, early Wednesday, April 13.

Manokwari Police Chief, Grand Commissioner Adjutant of Police Parasian Herman Gultom confirmed that the victims in the fatal accident incident had been evacuated by the joint SAR team while conducting a crime scene (TKP) investigation.

"We are still investigating the crime scene, while the victims have been evacuated by the joint SAR team," said Manokwari Police Chief when confirmed from the scene.

The police chief said that according to the preliminary report from the TKP, 13 people died at the scene, 3 people died after being evacuated to the Warmare Pratama Hospital, while 13 others were in critical condition.

"A total of 13 passengers in critical condition are still being treated at the Pratama Warmare Hospital, while 13 bodies who died at the scene have been evacuated to the morgue of the Manokwari Hospital," said the Police Chief, quoted by Antara.

The police chief said that regarding the identities and occupations of the dozens of victims of this deadly accident, it could not be confirmed that they were illegal gold mining workers, because they were still under investigation.

"We cannot confirm whether they are illegal gold mining workers or not, because they are still waiting for the recovery process for the injured victims to be questioned," said the Police Chief.