Ambulances idle due to riots

Ambulances idle due to riots

JAKARTA (JP): Five of nine ambulances belonging to Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital were out of operation on Thursday night because of a shortage of fuel.

Many gasoline filling stations closed after rioting erupted on Wednesday.

"It was a long and tiring night. We had to transport many riot victims in only four ambulances," Abdul Hadi, an ambulance driver, said.

Hadi said he had to siphon gasoline out of other ambulances until he eventually located a filling station which had opened in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

He said the drivers had been busy because they had to take doctors home as well.

"The doctors felt safe from rioters inside ambulances." he said, as quoted by Antara. (jun)