Karawang Regency Government Temporarily Stops Fertilizer Factory Operations After 3 Workers Died Of Poisoning

Karawang Regent Aep Syaepuloh. (ANTARA/Ali Khumaini/dok)

JAKARTA - Karawang Regent Aep Syaepuloh decided to temporarily suspend the operation of the PT Multidaya Putra Sejahtera fertilizer factory following the presence of four workers who died while cleaning the liquid waste toren used for fertilizer production at the factory.

"The operation has been temporarily suspended," said the regent as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, July 2.

The four workers who died were thought to have been caused by inhaling the liquid fertilizer chemicals that were left in the toren or tank where fertilizer production was produced.

"I have gone to the location and spoke with the company. So the Karawang Regency Government decided to temporarily close the factory operations after the incident," he said.

In the midst of the temporary closure of the operation of the liquid fertilizer factory located in Karyasari Village, Rengasdengklok District, the regent also instructed the relevant agencies to check the factory's licensing documents.

"I have asked the relevant agencies to check the licensing link and other documents," he said.

The Regent said that in accordance with the factory management's statement, there were four fertilizer factory workers who died while cleaning the toren or fertilizer tank.

The workers who cleaned the toren suddenly felt weak, had shortness of breath and eventually died at the location.

Those who died were Asep Kohar (51), Marsidi (34), Nana Mulyana (42) and Husni Saepul (44).

The Rengasdengklok Police through a public relations official, Ipda Suprianto, said that the victim who died was the factory worker.

The police are still conducting investigations and conducting related examinations including a number of witnesses.