Four dead in Sumatra power outage incidents

Widespread power outages across Sumatra Island have led to tragic incidents, resulting in four deaths and three injuries in separate events in North Sumatra and West Sumatra. In Batubara district, North Sumatra, two employees of a mobile phone accessory shop were found dead in their locked shop. Police suspect they died from carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator used during the mass blackout that affected the entire province. The discovery was made when colleagues arrived to open the shop and received no response. After forcing the door open, they found two victims deceased and two others unconscious, who were then taken to the hospital.

Meanwhile, in Tanah Datar district, West Sumatra, a similar tragedy unfolded. Three teenagers died or were hospitalized after inhaling toxic gases from a mosque's generator. Two of the victims, aged 15, died, while a 16-year-old remained in critical condition and was hospitalized. The teenagers had gathered to charge their mobile phones because of the power outage. The incident occurred when they requested to use the mosque's generator.

Authorities are investigating both incidents to determine the exact causes. The police in West Sumatra emphasized that cultism, drug abuse, and all forms of criminality that undermine public peace will not be tolerated.