Thirteen people were killed in an explosion during the disposal of expired military ammunition in West Java, Indonesia, on Monday, according to army officials. This is the second incident involving expired ammunition in the country in just over a year.
Military spokesperson Kristomei Sianturi told Kompas TV that nine of the victims were civilians and four were military personnel. The military is currently investigating the cause of the incident.
Another army spokesperson, Wahyu Yudhayana, stated in a televised address that the explosion occurred as officers were completing the disposal of the ammunition.
The investigation will focus on how civilians were allowed to be so close to the detonation site, he added.
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Kristomei said that the area where the explosion took place is a field where such detonations are routinely conducted.
He also noted that local residents typically gather after the disposals to collect scrap materials left behind by the detonations.
The area has been cleared to ensure safety in case of further explosions, he added.
Monday’s blast marks the second incident involving Indonesian military ammunition in just over a year.
In March of last year, a large fire erupted at an Indonesian military depot storing expired ammunition near Jakarta, resulting in a series of explosions.
