Two men nearly suffocated inside a barge tank while cleaning without safety equipment
A near-tragic incident unfolded in Bintan, Indonesia, on Sunday, June 8, 2025, as two workers were trapped inside a barge tank without oxygen support. Swift emergency response averted fatalities, but the event highlights ongoing safety lapses in maritime repair operations.
Oxygen Deficiency in Barge Tank
Two workers—Dery Winarta and Jiky Juang—were trapped inside the tank of TKG Pratama 5, a barge docked at the former PLTU Galang Batang port in Gunung Kijang, Bintan, on the morning of Sunday, June 8, 2025. They entered the tank to clean residual oil before the vessel was scheduled for docking and repairs.
However, both failed to use respiratory equipment. As a result, they reportedly experienced oxygen deprivation, rendering them weak and unable to exit the confined space on their own.
Rapid Multi-Agency Rescue Operation
Emergency personnel from several agencies were immediately deployed. The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Bintan, along with Toapaya and Bintan Timur Fire Departments, PMI Bintan, and local police, coordinated a swift rescue effort.
BPBD Bintan Secretary Agus Ariyadi confirmed that both men were found in a weak condition. They were administered emergency oxygen on site before being transported to RSUD Bintan hospital in Kijang for further treatment.
Police Confirm Investigation
Gunung Kijang Police Chief, Iptu Jul Ilham, verified the incident, noting that both workers were performing cleaning duties inside the tank. Preliminary findings suggest a lack of safety procedures, particularly the absence of breathing apparatus during the operation.
Jul stated that the workers likely lost consciousness due to hypoxia. While both are now in stable condition, an investigation is ongoing to determine responsibility and prevent similar incidents.
Safety Oversights Highlighted
This incident casts a critical spotlight on industrial safety protocols in Bintan’s maritime sector. The lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), especially in confined spaces known for gas risks, remains a pressing concern.
Such oversights in a high-risk environment like a ship tank could easily have led to fatalities. Experts have repeatedly warned about the dangers of confined space entry without adequate ventilation or protective gear.
Implications for Regional Maritime Practices
The case of Dery and Jiky not only alarms local stakeholders but also has implications across nearby regions, including Singapore, which heavily relies on Indonesian shipyards for maintenance and construction support.
Maritime labor safety, especially in cross-border industrial collaborations, must now be a focal point for regional maritime authorities, with renewed calls for stricter enforcement and training.
This rescue operation underscores a broader issue in Southeast Asia’s maritime industry—inadequate safety standards for workers in hazardous conditions. The swift response prevented a tragedy, but the lessons from this incident demand urgent action to improve industrial safety in Bintan and beyond.
Sources: Batam Pos (2025) , Ulasan (2025)
Keywords: Bintan, Barge Tank, Worker Trapped, Maritime Accident, Oxygen Deficiency, Emergency Rescue
