Leakage at Lapindo Brantas' exploration well continues

A heavy outpouring of water and liquid mud at PT Lapindo Brantas's exploration drilling area in Sidoardjo, East Java is continuing but no casualties and serious damages have so far been reported from the affected areas, the company said Monday.

Lapindo said in a press statement that it had established a special team in cooperation with local government institutions to solve the problem and to build water treatment and a number of dams to cope with the floods.

The incident which began on May 29, when workers carried out their exploration activities in the Banjarpanji-1 well, has caused a heavy outpouring of water and liquid mud within a radius of 150 and 200 meters.

Lapindo also said that based on the tests conducted by the office of public works in East Java and the laboratory department of the Institute of Bogor, the water and mud coming out at its operation area will not hazard the human health. (*)