Three children in the Segara Makmur subdistrict of Tarumajaya, Bekasi regency, West Java, have reportedly suffered skin burns after making contact with soil suspected to have been contaminated with a chemical substance.

“The Jakarta Police bomb squad has been dispatched to check the site following the report. They aim to examine the [soil] believed to be contaminated with chemical waste,” Tarumajaya Police chief Adj. Comr. Agus Rohmat said on Monday, as quoted by kompas.com. 

Six officers from the squad had already taken samples of the soil for laboratory testing.

Previously, a team from the regency’s environment agency also took a sample of the soil to be examined. 

The three children, identified as Denda, Raga and Ramadan, suffered burns to several parts of their bodies on Jan. 10 after being mired in the soil.

They reportedly complained of burns on their skin. Denda and Raga were sent to a nearby hospital, since they suffered the worst, while Ramadan got medical treatment at a clinic. (fac)