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)