Hundreds Of East Acehnese Refuge Toxic Gas

Residents were poisoned by gas at the evacuation site of the Banda Alam sub-district head office, East Aceh Regency, Monday (25/9/2023). ANTARA/Hayaturrahmah

BANDA ACEH - Hundreds of residents of Gampong Panton Rayeuk T, Banda Alam District, East Aceh, fled to the local sub-district office to avoid toxic gas.

"Until now, 446 residents have fled to the Banda Alam District Office. They are placed in tents, prayer rooms, halls. Some have fled to relatives' homes," said Banda Alam Sub-district Head Iskandarsyah as reported by ANTARA, Monday, September 25.

Iskandarsyah said the toxic gas incident occurred on Sunday (24/9) at around 17.30 WIB. At that time, the children were playing football in the field, suddenly experiencing shortness of breath, then fainting and being rushed to the local health center.

"The gas smell has been felt since Saturday (23/9). The first one was exposed to one family. Then, on Sunday (24/9) someone else felt it. Maybe because it was carried by the wind, so that it was hit by other people again," said Iskandarsyah.

Previously, a number of residents of Gampong Panton Rayeuk T, Banda Alam District, East Aceh, were rushed to the local health center emergency department because they were suspected of being poisoned by gas from the oil and gas company well.

Poisoning with the same suspicion is not the first time this mining ring area has occurred. Hundreds of residents also fled due to a foul odor allegedly caused by the washing of gas wells for oil and gas companies in the area.

The East Aceh Regency Government through the regional disaster management agency (BPBD) and the social service set up tents and public kitchens at the refugee camps.

"All refugees have been handled and until now the conditions are safe and under control. And we will also continue to assist the refugees," said Head of BPBD East Aceh Regency Ashadi.

Head of the East Aceh Social Service, Elfiandi, said that his party had also opened public kitchens and provided the refugees' panic period needs.

"For the logistics of refugees, it is available and all equipment for refugees is carried, such as baby diapers, milk, blankets, and others," said Elfiandi.

Meanwhile, as many as 29 residents of Panton Rayeuk T Village, Banda Alam District, East Aceh Regency, who were victims of toxic gas are now being treated at the Zubir Mahmud Regional General Hospital (RSUD).

"There are 29 residents being treated. We also cannot confirm whether all residents are poisoned by gas or not. Because there is no laboratory in this hospital," said Zubir Hospital Director Mahmud Edy Gunawan.

PT Medco E&P Malaka, an oil and gas company operating in the area, stated that it was following up on reports from residents regarding alleged odors around the area of operation that caused residents to experience gas poisoning.

VP Relations & Security of PT Medco E&P Malaka Arif Rinaldi said the company moved quickly and coordinated with local health agencies to ensure residents received intensive medical care and treatment.

"Some residents have been allowed to go home. The company has also dispatched a health team, work safety and environmental protection to the scene and provided health care to residents," said Arif Rinaldi.