At least five workers die in Lampung dam accident

At least five workers die in Lampung dam accident

BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung (JP): At least five workers of a dam
project at Tanggamus regency have been found dead and nine others
remained trapped on Wednesday after a concrete framework they
were building caved in two days earlier.

Antara quoted Theodora of the Wismarini Hospital in Pringsewu
as saying that the five bodies were received by hospital from
Tuesday evening until Wednesday afternoon.

"After undergoing postmortems, all of the five bodies will be
sent to their relatives in their respective hometowns by the
project's contractor," she said, referring to Japanese contractor
PT Taisei.

About 47 workers were preparing the installation in Way Harong
village, about 100 kilometers from this provincial capital, when
the accident occurred on Monday.

An eight-metric-ton concrete framework reportedly collapsed
after a steel cable supporting it was cut.

About 30 workers were rescued and rushed to hospital with both
minor and severe injuries.

The installation of the framework employed mostly local
residents.

No local officials or executives of the contractor have been
willing to comment on the accident.

An official of the local office of manpower ministry said on
Tuesday that project supervisors were still investigating the
case.

"Please, contact them directly at the project site," said the
official who asked not to be named.

Theodora identified the deceased as Jamili and Isal, both of
Way Harong, M. Harianto of West Lampung, Mus of Purwakarta in
West Java, and Sana of Cilingga in West Java.

All were aged between 22 and 35.

Police officers and workers are reportedly continuing efforts
to evacuate the trapped men. (jun)