ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – A chlorine gas leak occurred at a paper factory facility belonging to PT Pindo Deli Pulp and Paper Mills-2, a subsidiary of Asia Pulp & Paper or Sinar Mas Group, in Karawang, West Java, on Saturday, January 20 2024.
Police said the incident resulted in 12 people being treated in three different hospitals due to poisoning.
Head of the Public Relations Division of the West Java Regional Police, Police Commissioner Ibrahim Tompo, said that the 12 people out of 133 people experienced chlorine gas poisoning.
“They are residents around the company, specifically Kutamekar Village, Ciampel Karawang. Meanwhile, 12 people are still being treated, namely 5 people at Bayukarta Hospital, 2 people at Mandaya Hospital and 5 people at Rosela Hospital. A total of 12 people are being treated out of 133 victims,” said Tompo, Monday, January 22 2024.
Furthermore, he also said that the impact of the release of chlorine gas from PT Pindo Deli II had caused local residents to be poisoned and generally experienced symptoms of shortness of breath and dry throats.
“Residents generally have shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness and dry throats,” he added.
This incident occurred on Saturday, January 20 2024 at around 19.00 WIB. Initially, the gas leak from PT Pindo Deli II was discovered by a witness named Rajab. Then, he traced the source of the release of chlorine gas which was found in the gas storage area. At that place, he found the pipe connecting bolt was loose.
Next, the witness carried out treatment by blocking access to chlorine gas to the hypo system in the storage area. However, the gas that has been released is still spreading.
Furthermore, Tompo said that PT Pindo Delli then sprayed artificial rain via fire trucks so that the remaining gas did not spread.
PT Pindo Deli’s response
Public Affair PT Pindo Deli Pulp and Paper Adil Teguh deeply regrets this incident which is detrimental to various parties.
Adil ensures that his party has taken the necessary actions, so that the incident can be handled quickly.
Moreover, all affected residents have received the necessary medical treatment. Pindo Deli also promised to cooperate with local authorities and regional leaders to ensure that gas leaks at the factory are handled according to procedures.
“PT Pindo Deli Pulp and Paper Mills-2 is currently continuing to carry out investigations to determine the main cause, including the possibility of violations of filling procedures by the operator,” he concluded.
Government Intervenes
The government finally stepped in to investigate the incident.
Director General of Agro Industry at the Ministry of Industry, Putu Juli Ardika, said that his party would carry out an in-depth investigation into the causes of the incident.
“For the time being, we are still investigating the case. We are in the field evaluation process,” said Putu.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Waste and B3 Waste Management at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Rosa Vivien Ratnawati, has dispatched a team to prepare to directly check conditions in the field. (AT Network)
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