In what local news outlets have described as a dramatic operation, firefighters in Jakarta successfully evacuated a man suffering from morbid obesity from his second-floor flat in a shophouse in Gambir last Thursday.
Sumarlan, 55, reportedly weighed 200 kilograms and was unable to leave his bed due to his condition, particularly after experiencing leg injuries. Firefighters had to forcibly enter his flat and then evacuated him using a stretcher.
Later, Sumarlan was accompanied to his hometown in Grobogan, Central Java, where he was welcomed by his extended family in a modest house in the Genyer district.
“Alhamdulillah [by God’s grace], father’s condition is good. He arrived home at 11 PM. The drive from Jakarta took 10 hours,” said Aldo, 24, Sumarlan’s only son, who himself reportedly suffers from obesity, as quoted by Kompas.
The rest of Sumarlan’s family declined to provide public statements, expressing their disappointment over the media coverage of Sumarlan’s evacuation from his flat last week.
“We felt that our privacy had been violated. The news spread without any initial confirmation. In essence, my brother is doing fine. He is more comfortable at home, and there are many relatives taking care of him,” said Mulyadi, 50, Sumarlan’s younger sibling.
Paiman, the Village Chief of Ngrandu, explained that Sumarlan had worked in Jakarta for decades at a factory before recently returning to his hometown. He has only one son, Aldo, and his wife passed away on an unknown date.
Sumarlan reportedly suffered a motorcycle accident recently, which further worsened his condition. Additionally, he is said to suffer from acid reflux.
Paiman emphasized that they will closely monitor Sumarlan’s condition moving forward.
