Five people queried over on-the-job death

TANGERANG (JP): Police have questioned at least five people after a 20-year-old textile worker was crushed to death when her hair became entangled in machinery.

Questioned were the supervisor of PT Jabatex, based in Jatiuwung, Tangerang, and four witnesses to the death of Siti Mahripah on Saturday, Jatiuwung Police said on Wednesday.

A preliminary police report found that the woman was preparing to cut a piece of thread near an operational spinning machine when her hair was caught and she was pulled into the heavy machinery.

Stunned fellow workers panicked but one of them eventually turned off the machine.

Siti was already dead from massive head and bodily injuries.

A postmortem was performed at Tangerang General Hospital and Siti was buried in her hometown in Lampung in southern Sumatra.

The police investigation is continuing.

Head of Tangerang's manpower ministry office Apon Suryana said his office would check on the company's employee safety and security measures.

"If it is found guilty of neglecting the workers' safety, we will take firm action," Apon said. (41/edt)