Post date: Sep 14, 2010 2:53:19 PM
Three Sukhoi staff have died and two others rushed to hospital in Indonesia's Sulawesi.
MAKASSAR, SOUTH SULAWESI PROVINCE, INDONESIA (SEPTEMBER 14, 2010) METRO TV - Three Russians were found dead in the Sulawesi province of Indonesia a day before two more were rushed to hospital on Tuesday (September 14).
A man identified as Alexander was found dead under the bed in his room, while the second man, identified as Voronim was reported to have suffered a heart attack.
The third victim, identified as Koronov Viktor Sapanov, died in hospital.
According to Indonesian channel Metro TV, the two other men hospitalised are suffering similar symptoms to those found dead -- headaches, vomiting, respiratory problems and foaming at the mouth.
Agus Supriatna is Commander at the Makassar Airbase where the men were based, and he said that the deaths are under investigation.
"I am still waiting for forensic results, we sent the tests to the military hospital in Jakarta. The cause of death is still unclear," he said.
The five men are members of the 12-engineer warranty team sent by Russian company Sukhoi to Makassar on September 5. The team was scheduled to stay for a year to monitor six Sukhoi jet fighters bought by the Indonesian government in 2007.
It is unclear whether any of the symptoms related to alcoholic drinks consumed the day before.
Russia has been supplying Indonesia with Sukhoi fighter jets for years. The first three jets arrived in December 2008, and two more arrived last Friday (September 10). The sixth is expected later this month.