At least 2 workers injured as bridge beams collapse
At least 2 workers injured as bridge beams collapse
JAKARTA (JP): At least two construction workers were injured
yesterday when four concrete beams collapsed at the Tarum Barat
bridge in Kalimalang, East Jakarta.
The bridge's project officer, Siti Musyarofah, refused to
explain the cause of the mishap but said that it was just an
accident.
"I can't explain further because it's still under
investigation," she said. "However, I don't think that it
happened because of the poor condition of the concrete beams."
About 9:45 a.m. yesterday, one of the nine beams supporting
one lane of the bridge dislodged and struck three other beams.
The concrete beams were 20 meters long and weighed about 42
tons, she said.
"They cost about Rp 20 million (US$6,666) each," she added.
Siti identified the two injured workers as Yayat and Maryani.
"They were walking on one of the beams when the accident
happened."
Siti said the company would cover medical expenses for the
workers, who suffered bone fractures. Both men were being treated
at Mitra Bekasi Hospital.
However, a man, who identified himself as Nasroni, claimed he
was also injured in the accident and treated at the same
hospital.
Nasroni told the SCTV crews that he was under the bridge when
the beams fell.
"I heard a cracking sound above me. It sounded like wood
splitting. I didn't have any time to jump out of the way as the
concrete beam fell so quickly," he said.
According to Siti, the beams were installed three weeks ago.
The Tarum Barat bridge, being developed by PT Yala, PT Hutama
Karya and PT Citra Bhakti Margatama Persada, is part of the East
Outer Ringroad linking the Cikunir, Cilincing and Tanjung Priok
toll roads.
Siti said that the bridge's lane and beams were constructed by
Hutama Karya.
"The company will soon replace the broken beams with the new
ones," she said.
The technical and operational director of PT Citra Bhakti
Margatama Persada, Djoko Legowo, said the company will have
experts from the Ministry of Public Works investigate the cause
of the accident.
"We will get the experts to come down here and check on the
construction site by Monday," he said.
He hoped the experts would be able to explain how the beams
broke. (cst)