JAKARTA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Three workers died Wednesday while repairing a barge on the Batanghari River in Jambi, Sumatra, Indonesia, local media reported.

The search and rescue team suspected the victims had inhaled toxic gas inside the ship's hold.

The local search and rescue office said the three men entered the cargo hold to carry out repairs but suddenly became weak and unresponsive when their colleagues called out to them.

All of the victims' bodies have been evacuated to a hospital for further autopsy examinations. ■