Three Workers Die in Cipayung Culvert, Suspected Gas Poisoning

Three workers on a drinking water pipeline project died in the Bambu Apus area of Cipayung, East Jakarta, on Thursday. They are suspected to have suffered gas poisoning after entering a culvert.

Abdul Wahid, Head of Operations for the East Jakarta Fire and Rescue Service, said his office received the report at 9.49 a.m. Western Indonesian Time. Officers immediately went to the location to carry out an evacuation.

“Three victims died,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

According to him, officers arrived at the scene at around 9.55 a.m. Western Indonesian Time. The evacuation process took two hours, concluding at 11.55 a.m. Western Indonesian Time.

Based on information gathered, the incident began when a project worker entered the culvert and lost consciousness halfway through. “The drinking water company project worker was entering the culvert and then fainted halfway down the ladder,” Abdul said.

A colleague then attempted to rescue him but also lost consciousness. A third worker tried the same and similarly fainted. The workers are suspected to have died from gas poisoning.