Company says no fatal gas poisoning

JAKARTA: Garment maker PT Sungin Tex (Sioen Indonesia) said on Monday that it had ruled out the possibility of a toxic gas leak at its plant in Bekasi had caused the death cause of a worker, Erna, on Nov. 16.

Instead, the company said Erna had died of natural causes.

"The factory was closed down after Wednesday's incident until Friday to allow a thorough inspection of the plant and no hazards were found ... We resumed normal operations on Saturday," the company said in a statement.

An executive of the company, Rizaldi said that regular inspections were carried out to ensure a good working environment at the plant.

Erna and a several other workers were taken to a number of hospitals suffering from of gas poisoning symptoms, according to the doctors. The plant's other workers, however, had returned to work. -- JP