Chemical Spill Prompts Traffic Chaos and Infrastructure Damage on National Highway
A massive chemical spill along the Padalarang-Cikalong Wetan National Highway in West Bandung Regency, West Java, has caused a stir on Tuesday morning (December 24, 2024). The spill, captured on video, has led to a hundreds-strong gathering at the Cikamuning Enforcement Unit (Gakkum) office, with affected drivers reporting their losses.
The spill from a tanker truck left the road slick with chemicals, causing motorcycles and cars to malfunction and incur damage. Affected drivers reported symptoms of skin irritation, such as itching and a burning sensation, upon contact with the chemical. Furthermore, many motorcycles failed and even showed signs of corrosion after exposure.
Rizky Muhamad Sidik, a motorcyclist who was caught in the spill, said, "My skin felt hot and itchy when it came into contact with the chemical. My motorbike also immediately stalled after I crossed the affected stretch of road."
Similarly, Dedi, a car driver, reported that the chemical damaged his car’s paint. "We don’t know what chemical this is, but it’s caused significant damage," Dedi said.
The incident prompted hundreds of drivers to converge at the Cikamuning Gakkum office to report the losses they suffered. As of press time, the data collection process is ongoing, with more victimscontinuing to arrive at the scene. Authorities have yet to officially comment on the cause of the spill and the remedies being considered to address this issue. (abd)
Worth a look