T

hree children in Segara Makmur subdistrict, Tarumajaya, Bekasi regency, West Java, reportedly suffered skin burns after coming in contact with soil suspected of having been contaminated by 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 bomb squad have 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 because their burns were more severe, while Ramadan received medical treatment at a local clinic.