Casualties at Cirebon's Kejawanan Port Increase, Three Crew Members Died

"After re-checking at 3:40 PM (WIB), there was still one victim inside the hull of the ship. Their condition was already deceased," said Muhyidin in his written statement on Tuesday evening. The victim, with the initial H (40), was from Langkat District, North Sumatra.

Also read: Cleaning hatch at Kejawanan Port, Cirebon, two crew members killed and one critical

Another victim with the initials ADS (39) is still in critical condition to this day. This resident of Dukuhpuntang District is undergoing intensive care at Pelabuhan Hospital. Meanwhile, the ship that was the location of the unfortunate incident is still surrounded by police lines for further investigation.

Muhyidin stated that the incident is estimated to have taken place on Tuesday at 9:45 a.m. Initially, H saw D lying unconscious in the hold of the 97-gross-ton ship. H then called AS, ADS, and a witness identified as N (40) to rescue victim D.

At first, H and N went down to the deck. "Since N had difficulty breathing, he then came out of the deck and asked for help from the person above. Then, ADS went down to the bottom deck. However, their condition also weakened. AS went down to help ADS," said Muhyidin.

N shouted for help, causing three fishermen around the boat to come. They lifted D, AS, and ADS, who had become unconscious. "Brother H was not found at the time, whether he was still inside the cabin or had come out," he said.

The Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of Cirebon City Police, Deputy Commissioner Anggi Eko Prasetyo, stated that four witnesses have been examined. They are the victim's colleagues. The ship owner will also be questioned. "Certainly, we will examine related parties and those who can provide testimony," he said.

Regarding the suspected work negligence in the case, Anggi is not able to make conclusions yet. His team will investigate the crime scene, examine witnesses, and autopsy results beforehand. "We will handle the investigation as it should be," he said.

Novirman Robi, Kejawanan PPN Harbormaster officer, was concerned about the incident. According to him, this is the first time there has been a case of ABK dying in a hold in the Kejawanan Harbor area. The KM Aji Citra Samodra has been registered at the port.

The ship docked at the port for repairs. They have requested that workers and ship owners provide adequate equipment, such as using air suction fans or wearing masks when cleaning fuel tank compartments.

Apart from adequate equipment, he continued, the condition of the crew also needs to be considered when checking the hatch. He asked all relevant parties to ensure safety aspects on ships. “The officers always give directions. "But, we can't watch every ship 24 hours a day," he said.

Officers always give directions. But, we can't watch every ship 24 hours a day. (Novirman Robi)

Currently, around 250 ships are operating in the Kejawanan Fishing Port. Most of them are over 30 GT in size and have 12 to 15 crew members on board. These ships can sail for three to four months to various regions. In April, fish production in the port exceeded 175 tons.

This is not the only case of poison gas in Cirebon City. On Tuesday (9/4/2024) or the day before Eid, four technicians died in the Cirebon Super Mall or CSB septic tank. The victims were Tri Yunanto (40), Tohidin Andryana (35), Mohammad Masduki (43), and Fadli (32).

Also read: Suspected poisonous gas in deadly "septic tank" case in Cirebon investigated