WAMCO employee on ventilator after inhaling diesel

A WAMCO employee is receiving treatment at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital after diesel entered his lungs during a refueling incident, the company has said.

WAMCO’s managing director, Mujtuthaba Jaleel, told Mihaaru News that the incident occurred in Gaafu Alifu Dhiyadhoo, when the worker was attempting to transfer diesel into a generator.

In an effort to create suction, he placed one end of a pipe into the fuel container and the other into his mouth, inhaling diesel in the process.

The employee was initially taken to Villingili Hospital for emergency treatment, but was later transferred to IGMH as the atoll hospital was unable to provide further care. He was placed on a ventilator after experiencing breathing difficulties.

Mujtuthaba said the employee’s condition is now stable, and that doctors plan to remove him from the ventilator and transfer him to the intensive care unit.

“We are monitoring everything very closely,” he said.

“He was put on a ventilator because he had difficulty breathing, but his condition has stabilized.”

He added that the power plant where the incident occurred is equipped with proper refueling ramps and facilities, and said the employee had been attempting to speed up the work when the accident happened.