Tear gas canisters flare in police car

JAKARTA (JP): A city police patrol sedan car hit a toll road median during heavy rain on Wednesday afternoon, overturning three times before landing upside down on Jl. M.T. Haryono, East Jakarta.

Following the accident, tear gas canisters in the car exploded, injuring at least eight people who gathered around the vehicle after it came to a stop outside the Saudi Arabian Embassy.

Most of the injured were returning overseas migrant workers and prospective workers.

One of the injured, Onno Onasih, 20, said: "When I opened the door of the sedan, the fumes from the tear gas hit me in the face. I was overcome."

The car driver, identified only as First Sgt. S. of the city police On-Alert Patrol Unit, suffered minor injuries. (ylt/01)