Jambi SAR Team Evacuates 3 Workers Poisoned in a Barge

JAMBI - The Jambi SAR team evacuated three workers who died due to gas poisoning in the hatch of the KM TS Daya Niaso barge, which was being repaired on the banks of the Batanghari River, Jambi.

"The Jambi Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas) has carried out a rescue operation for three workers suspected of gas poisoning inside the KM TS Daya Niaso barge hatch," said Basarnas Jambi Spokesperson M Luthfi as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, May 20.

The incident occurred in the Batanghari River, Niaso area, Muaro Jambi Regency. The three victims who were evacuated were named Zulkarnain, Popo, and Rudiansyah. All the victims were already lifeless.

"They are suspected of being poisoned by dangerous gas while carrying out repairs inside the ship's hatch," he said.

The chronology of the incident based on the first report received by the standby officer at 09.15 WIB from Sani, the owner of the barge.

Based on initial information, at around 08.55 WIB, the three victims entered the gate to work.

Not long after, they suddenly became weak and did not respond from inside the hull of the ship. After seeing the condition, the ship's owner immediately asked for emergency help.

In following up the report, the Jambi SAR dispatched one search and rescue unit with eight personnel at 09.35 WIB.

The team traveled 13.5 km by land and water from the Jambi SAR Office, with an estimated arrival at the location of coordinates 1°34'47.99"S-103°37'55.90"E at around 10.20 WIB.

The operation took place under cloudy weather. The joint SAR team consisting of personnel from the Jambi SAR Office and local residents used special confined space rescue equipment for evacuation in confined spaces and anticipated toxic gases.

The equipment deployed includes rescue cars, rigid bouyancy boats for the mobility of complete equipment for handling limited space, then medical and evacuation equipment, communication equipment and thermal drones to monitor visual and temperature situations in the hatch area.

Until this news was released, the joint team was still trying to get the three victims out of the barge hatch and was successfully evacuated.