Inp.polri.go.id - Banda Aceh.  A gas poisoning incident has gripped Gampong Panton Rayeuk T, Banda Alam District, East Aceh Regency, leading dozens of residents to be rushed to a local health center due to suspected gas exposure. Sahminan, Head of the East Aceh District Health Office, said on Monday  (25/9/2023) that affected residents experienced symptoms such as nausea, shortness of breath, and dizziness. "Some were referred to Dr. Zubir Mahmud East Aceh Hospital, while others received treatment at Banda Alam Health Center," he was quoted by antaranews.com as saying. This incident happened over the weekend when residents sought medical help at Banda Alam Health Center, fearing gas inhalation. This is not the first gas-related concern in the area, which is located nearby a mine of PT Medco E&P Malaka. Previously, hundreds evacuated due to a noxious odor believed to stem from  its gas well cleaning . Arif Rinaldi, VP of Relations & Security at PT Medco E&P Malaka, said that the company has worked together with local health authorities for intensive medical care. "Some residents have returned home. We've deployed health, safety, and environmental teams and are actively investigating the odor's source. Concurrently, we're enhancing operations reliability at Alue Siwah gas field," he said. Arif emphasized that PT Medco E&P Malaka has been working  with relevant agencies to identify the root cause of the foul odor. The company has recently been engaged in maintenance operations at the Alue Siwah gas field, aimed at enhancing the reliability of their operations. (ar/inp/pr/nm)