Kutai Kartanegara regency partially opens coal barging activity

Kutai Kartanegara regency has opened partially coal barging operations on the upper side of the Mahakam river, since Saturday afternoon (December 10), ending the total ban which had been enforced since Nov 26 earlier after the Mahakam bridge collapsed on the river.

The local government has decided to re-open limited barging activity although limited only from 5 pm (afternoon) to 6 am in the morning. In between the time, local government decided to still prohibit any coal barging and other river transport activity so as to allow search and rescue efforts to continue. At least 21 people were killed, 43 injured, and 16 are still reported missing.

The local government also decided to extend emergency status on the accident until Dec 25. (denny)