Three passengers were killed by a gas leak on a barge in Indonesia.

The victims reportedly died from inhaling poisonous gas on the flatboat in Donggala Regency, Central Sulawesi, on the afternoon of February 9.

The deceased were identified as Azril, Fadel, and Maruf.

Local media reported that the men went to the barge at one of the C excavation mines to scrap metal on the boat.

Assistant Police Commissioner I Nyoman Suwenda said: 'At that time, the victims were looking for scrap metal around the location. They then entered the manhole in the hull of the barge and drowned after allegedly inhaling poisonous gas.'

A police investigation found that before the incident, Ma'ruf entered the hull of the ship through a hole, often called a 'manhole,' and inhaled the gas, rendering him unable to climb back out. He died on the spot.

Azril reportedly followed him into the hole to help but also succumbed to the gas.

Fadel then entered the hole in an attempt to rescue his friends. However, all three ultimately perished.

Haris, a nearby resident, said: 'Maruf's family said that the manhole on the barge had just been opened, so it was likely that poisonous gas was still inside the boat.

'The poisonous gas in the barge is very dangerous.'

Local media reported that joint personnel from the search and rescue team immediately evacuated the three victims and took them to hospital. Authorities are still investigating the case further.

Police said the victims were taken to hospital, and personnel secured the area where the incident occurred.