Gulf blames children for oil and gas tank blast
Thursday, January 25 2001 - 04:30 AM WIB
PT Gulf Ramba, a subsidiary of Canadian firm Gulf Canada Resources said the recent blast at its oil and gas tank in Ramba village of Musibanyuasin regency, South Sumatra was caused by two kids playing with matches.
Gulf Ramba executive Fachrul A Siregar told local daily Sriwijaya Post in a statement that the two kids, identified as Maryanto (13) and Triboni (8), were playing around the tank about 2 pm on Saturday.
They climbed the tank and struck a match while enjoying themselves, he said.
The fire from the match then hit the tank and the kids, he added.
The boys were soon taken to the Charitas hospital for medical treatment using Gulf's vehicle.
Siregar blasted the press reports, which he said accused Gulf of employing underage children to watch over its tank.
"We never employ underage people. Maryanto and Tribuni were around the tank because Maryanto was asked by his parents to watch over (the tank) for a while. Tribuni then came and both played with matches which caused the tank blast," Fachrul said.
The case had been settled peacefully by the company, the family of the victims, community leaders and Ramba village head, Fachrul said, adding the family of the victims had even thanked Gulf for help paying the medical expenses. (*)