There will be special personnel investigating and analyzing this incident."Banjarnegara (ANTARA News) - Six technicians from PT Geo Dipa Energy Unit Dieng were injured in a gas burst in the geothermal pipelines in well 30, Pawuhan Village, Karangtengah region, Banjarnegara district, Central Java.
As per information compiled by ANTARA News in Bajarnegara, Monday, the incident occurred at 9:30 AM, when technicians were carrying out a cleaning, supervising and checking procedure around well 30.
During the maintenance procedure, the pipe got disconnected from the well, and led to a loud noise, scaring farmers working in the potato fields in the vicinity.
Also, as a result of the pipe being disconnected, high-pressured geothermal gas burst out of the pipe, hitting the workers.
The forceful burst also sent flying many objects lying around the well, some hitting a few workers.
The incident left four workers with severe burn injuries. Another two workers also sustained mild injuries.
The four workers suffering from severe burns are Yudi Iskandar, Supartono, Joko Irawan and Supriyono. The other two injured workers are named Pandi and Rizki.
All the victims were taken to the Wonosobo regional public hospital.
One of the victims who was in a critical condition, Irawan, was said to have died at the hospital, but Deputy Regent of Banjarnegara, Hadi Supeno, denied such reports.
"It was reported that he was pronounced dead, but till this point, there is still pulse. Doctors are doing their best to save him," he told ANTARA News, after visiting the scene with PT Geo Dipa Energy (GDE) Unit Dieng Operational Manager, Burhan.
Furthermore, he ascribed the incident to force majeure, which is what occurred in the case of the pipe becoming disconnected.
He asked the PT GDE Unit Dieng management to immediately check all operational procedure standards.
"There was a strong presumption that what happened was a result of corrosion, but we would rather not speculate. I saw the pipe myself, and the section where the pipe had gotten disconnected seemed thin compared to the rest of it," he noted.
He pointed out that the geothermal power plant at Dieng high grounds was known to experience corrosion faster, compared to other geothermal plants.
The power plant managed by PT GDE Unit Dieng often conducts maintenance procedures, stopping all activities on site.
Meanwhile, PT GDE Unit Dieng Operational Manager, Burhan, said that his side was yet to determine the cause behind the incident at well 30.
"There will be special personnel investigating and analyzing this incident," he informed.
He further remarked that he has reported the occurrence to the headquarters, and was hoping that the investigation team will arrive on site within the next couple of days.
About the incidents impact on electricity production, he said the May to August period was a period meant for overhaul exercise, as better maintenance helps increase the power plants performance. So the incident would not affect the productivity of PT GDE Unit Dieng.
As for the monetary losses sustained, the figure was currently under calculation, he said.
(Reported by Sumarwoto/Uu.KR-ARC/INE/KR-BSR/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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