Tanjung Menang Village, Prabumulih Selatan Subdistrict, Prabumulih City, was thrown into chaos since Saturday afternoon (July 15, 2023) due to a sudden incident. A gas pipeline in the city network leaked, resulting in a massive explosion and subsequent fire.
The incident not only caused a commotion among the villagers but also left two children with serious burn injuries, requiring them to be rushed to the Regional General Hospital (RSUD) Prabumulih. Several other children who suffered minor burns received treatment at home.
The two victims who suffered serious burns were identified as Alfis (9), who sustained burns on both legs, hands, and face, and Agha (9), who suffered burns on both hands, both legs, and his left foot.
According to gathered information, the incident occurred on Saturday around 5:00 PM. The villagers were participating in a communal work effort in Dusun VII of Tanjung Menang Village, Prabumulih Selatan Subdistrict, to build a road leading to an elementary school (SD) in the area. Alfis, Agha, and several other children were present, witnessing and assisting in the communal work.
During their time at the site, Alfis and Agha stumbled upon a gas lighter and started playing with it. Unbeknownst to them, when they ignited the lighter, a sudden explosion occurred, engulfing the victims’ bodies and the surrounding grass in flames.
Alfis and Agha, who were in close proximity to the incident, were unable to save themselves, while the other children at a greater distance suffered only minor burns.
Witnessing the tragic event, the villagers promptly provided first aid and transported Alfis and Agha to the hospital for urgent medical care. They also contacted Pertamina and PD Petro Prabu. The firefighting team arrived at the scene to extinguish the fire caused by the leaking gas pipeline. The fire was successfully contained by the authorities by 6:15 PM.
“At that time, we were working together, and suddenly the children were engulfed in flames, sustaining severe burns and were immediately taken to the hospital,” said Robil, one of the witnesses who spoke to the police on Sunday (July 16, 2023).
Asmedi SH, the head of Tanjung Menang Village, confirmed the incident when contacted by journalists via mobile phone. Asmedi stated that they had coordinated with the relevant parties, including PD Petro Prabu as the operator of the city’s gas network and Pertamina, to address the leak.
“Alhamdulillah, the fire caused by the leaking pipeline has been successfully extinguished after coordinating with PT Pertamina and Petro Prabumulih. Currently, we are repairing the leak, and the household gas supply in the area has been temporarily cut off during the repair process,” Asmedi explained.
Regarding the two victims, Asmedi mentioned that they are currently receiving intensive medical treatment for their burns. He appealed to the responsible parties involved in the gas pipeline excavation, both PD Petro Prabu and others, to assist in covering the victims’ medical expenses.
This incident serves as a reminder to the entire community about the importance of safety in daily activities, especially when dealing with potentially hazardous substances such as gas.