Gas leak investigated

PADANG, West Sumatra: Sawahlunto regency has formed a fact- finding team to check into reports of methane leakage from illegal mines here.

Iwan Setiawan, general manager of PT Bukit Asam Unit Pertambangan Ombilin, said methane emissions from a number of illegal mines had reached above 10 percent, a critical level, Antara reported on Saturday.

Hundreds of miners have been evacuated since Wednesday, he said, explaining that an explosion could destroy the nearby town.

The regency has included company specialists in its team since the mines are located in its area.