MIRI: Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) has announced that they have lost a life on Tuesday at one of their project work site in Sarawak.
Petronas said the deceased, a recently married 25-year-old Strain Gauge Technician was working in the trench when it collapsed and buried him alive.
“He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Limbang hospital, leaving behind a young wife. The deceased who hails from Kuala Lumpur was attached to a Petronas contractor working on the project.
“We are currently extending all necessary support to his next of kin and immediate family members during this difficult period. Their welfare and wellbeing are our utmost priority,” Petronas stated in an internal message to staff that went viral late yesterday.
According to Petronas, this regretfully is the second fatality involving a collapsed trench for the year.
“Despite lessons learnt, we face another similar incident calling for serious attention to safety and health of our workforce. Safety goes beyond compliance; we need to genuinely care for the people we work with.
“This young man – a husband a son and a brother, leaves behind an irresplacable void in the hearts of his loved ones.”
Petronas said an investigation team is being assembled to identify causes of the incident.
“In view of today’s (Oct 30) incident, we will be conducting a Group-wide Stand-Down on Thursday (Nov 1). Further details will follow,” the statement added.
Petronas also extended their deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the victim’s family and friends, adding: “Let us offer our prayers to the deceased and his family.”
The Borneo Post yesterday reported Limbang District Deputy Police Chief DSP Tega Bilong as saying during the incident at about 12.30pm, the victim, Arif Ahmad 25 from Kuala Lumpur was fitting the strain sensor on the pipeline at Sungai Adang Medamit when the trench collapsed and buried him alive. Sungai Adang Medamit is about four hours drive from Limbang town.
“The incident was discovered by his colleague who later lodged a police report at 8.25pm.
“The remains of the victim had been sent to the Limbang Hospital’s mortuary,” Tega said.
The case is being classified as sudden death.