Tragic Blast in West Java: Ammunition Disposal Turns Deadly

An explosion during the disposal of expired ammunition in West Java, Indonesia, claimed 13 lives, including four soldiers. Several injuries were reported, and the incident is under investigation. The disposal, in a secluded environmental conservation area, attracted nearby residents who often scavenge for scrap metal.

A fatal explosion in Indonesia's West Java province on Monday resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, among them four soldiers, according to military officials. The blast occurred during the disposal of expired ammunition, although the precise cause remains undetermined.

The tragic event unfolded while Indonesian army personnel were managing the disposal of obsolete ammunitions, stored at a military warehouse, near Sagara village in Garut district. A follow-up explosion quickly succeeded the initial blast, as confirmed by Indonesian military spokesperson, Maj Gen Kristomei Sianturi.

Alongside the casualties, several individuals sustained injuries and were hospitalized. The investigation is delving into compliance with the standard ammunition disposal protocols. The remote site, although distant from inhabited areas, often draws local residents seeking scrap materials from the munitions, adding an unexpected risk factor.

(With inputs from agencies.)