The Jakarta Globe, February 11, 2014.
Jakarta. Five people died of carbon monoxide poisoning at an East Bekasi clinic on Tuesday after exhaust from a running power generator seeped into the building’s air conditioning, poisoning the entire facility, police said.
The Sapta Pesona Clinic, in Rawalumbu, East Bekasi, lost power early Tuesday morning, prompting an employee to start up a power generator to restore electrical service to the building. The unnamed employee then placed the gas-powered generator in the reception area instead of outside.
The building’s air conditioners reportedly sucked in the exhaust, spreading carbon monoxide throughout the building, police said.
“The electric generator was at the receptionist, that’s why the exhaust didn’t come out of the generator, and got mixed with the air from the air conditioner,” Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said.
Exposure to carbon monoxide — an odorless and tasteless gas — is deadly. While small amounts of inhalation produce headaches and dizziness, significant exposure is fatal.
By 7:30 a.m. — more than seven hours after the power switched off — five employees, including a doctor, a nurse and a pharmacist, were dead. Four others fell ill and were admitted to an area hospital for treatment.
Jakarta Police are investigating the case.
“Some witnesses have been examined for further questioning,” Rikwanto said. “The case is still under investigation.”
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di 11 feb 2014 - 21:04