SIBU: Three welders have died believed to have inhaled toxic gas while repairing a towing vessel here yesterday.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department Zone 4 acting chief Wan Kamarudin Wan Ahmad said the incident occurred at about 6.38pm at a private shipyard.
“A total of seven foreign workers from Bangladesh and Indonesia were doing maintenance works inside the boat.
“However, they were reported to have breathing difficulties before passing out after inhaling toxic gas,” he said in a statement today.
It was understood that the workers were provided with breathing apparatus to do the works, but it could not be ascertained if they used the apparatus.
He said four workers were rescued by their employer and the public before being sent to Sibu Hospital for further treatment.
“The firemen used rope and oxygen masks to enter the boat to rescue three others who were unconscious,” he said.
“After they were rescued, oxygen masks were given to them but two of them were pronounced dead at the scene,” he said, adding that the two had been identified as Indonesians Syahrir Ramadhan and Irman Syah.
Another victim, Bangladeshi Rone Matbor, passed away at the hospital last night.
Wan Kamarudin said the operation was conducted by 11 personnel from the Sungai Merah Fire and Rescue Station and it concluded at 7.50pm last night.
“Further investigation is ongoing to identify the cause of the incident,” he said.