Five killed as hangar collapses in South Sulawesi

The Jakarta Post, Makassar, Tue, March 10 2015,


At least five workers were killed and 14 others injured after the roof of an hangar, which was under construction, collapsed at Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Monday.

Workers were reportedly about to continue with the 25 x 90 meter roof installation, when a central supporting structure became dislodged, causing the entire roof to collapse at around 9:30 a.m. local time.

Around 10 people were on top of the structure and around 60 were on the ground when the incident occurred.

Two of the victims, identified as Iqbal Situmorang, 30, and Parulin Siagian, 35, died on the scene after being struck by steel beams.

Asri, 36, died at Dr. Dody Sardjito Air Force Hospital; Heri Iswanto, 40, at Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital; and Muhammad Jufri, 21, at Daya State Hospital.

One of the injured victims, Yakob Jumair Dajo, 34, said he was with a number of workers on top of the structure during the incident.

“Before it happened, we felt the roof shake, but we continued working. Not long after the whole thing collapsed. I fell, but didn’t hit the ground as I was holding on to a rope,” Yakob said.

Tamar Jaya, spokesman for the airport authority, said an investigation into the incident was on going. “We have a team looking into this,” Tamar said.

He added that the structure was part of an aircraft calibration hangar that had been under construction since last year by contractors PT Nur Jaya Nusantara and PT Lince Romauli Raya.

“It was targeted to finish this year. It had reached 70 percent completion. The roof’s installment was part of the project’s completion stage,” Tamar said.

Maros Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Hotman Sirait said the police were also investigating the case and were gathering testimony from witnesses.

The police will also question construction supervisors and the project lead, identified as Tiku Kombong.

“We have yet to determine the cause of the collapse,” Hotman said.

The incident did not disrupt flights. State-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I spokesman Rio Hendarto said the hangar was located around 5 kilometers from the terminals.

“Operations remain normal. The incident has not caused any disruptions,” Rio said.

Separately, Transportation Ministry director general for air transportation Suprasetyo said the collapsed hangar was worth Rp 46.2 billion (US$3.5 million), funded by the 2014 budget of the office of airport authority zone five.

“The hangar is to be completed with an apron and taxiway,” Suprasetyo said as quoted by Antara news agency in Jakarta.

Although he confirmed the project was undertaken by PT Lince Romauli Raya and PT Nur Jaya Nusantara, Suprasetyo said the amended contract for the job ended on Feb. 18.

Last month, the ministry announced a plan to conduct an assessment of AP I and AP II.



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