KUCHING: The body of two Indonesian nationals, who were killed during a coal mine explosion in Sri Aman near here last week, have been sent to their country yesterday.
It was learnt that the body of Kardianto and Achmad Zidin, aged 38 and 27 respectively, were transported by road from the Sarawak General Hospital (HUS) here to Pontianak.
Their bodies were later flown to their hometown in Semarang, Jawa Tengah.
A spokesman from the Indonesian Consulate General here confirmed the matter but did not elaborate details on the arrangement.
Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman, Michael Tene, told the Indonesian media that the country’s consulate General here was making arrangement to dispatch the remains of the both victims.
“Doctors at the HSU said Achmad had succumbed to multiple organ failure due to brain injury. The consulate had contacted Achmad’s relative to make arrangement to return his body home.
“Kardianto succumbed to severe chest injury in the explosion. His sister-in-law is expected to accompany his remains home to Semarang,” Michael was quoted by several Indonesian-based online portals.
He added the cost of transportation would be borne by the operator of the coal mine.
Kardianto was among three foreign workers who died on the spot in the 9am explosion last Saturday. Achmad was the fourth victim from the explosion. He succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday.
The duo was among nine Indonesian working at the coal mine, which has been operating for the past eight years.
The explosion also injured 30 other workers, who had been admitted to several hospitals in the state as well as in Sabah, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.