Java [Indonesia], May 14 (HBTV): At least 13 people were killed in an explosion during the disposal of expired military ammunition in West Java, according to Antara News, which cited the Indonesian Defence Forces.

The blast occurred on Monday in Sagara village, Garut district. Among the deceased were four military officers who were part of the team conducting the operation.

Major General Kristomei Sianturi, Chief of the Indonesian military's (TNI) Information Office, stated that the bodies had been transported to the Pameungpeuk Regional General Hospital for autopsy and pre-funeral arrangements.

‘We are coordinating with on-site officers to secure and clear the incident site as a precaution against other potential explosions,’ he said during a TV interview in Jakarta on Monday.

The explosion reportedly took place at 9:30 am local time while Army officers were attempting to dispose of expired and unused ammunition at a site managed by the Garut District Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA). Kristomei noted that this location is frequently used for such operations. The ammunition was traced back to Ammunition Depot No. 3 of the Indonesian Army Equipment Centre (Puspalad).

According to Antara News, the four TNI officers who died in the accident were Colonel Antonius Hermawan, Major Anda Rohanda, Second Corporal Eri Dwi Priambodo, and First Private Aprio Setiawan. The nine civilian victims were identified as Agus bin Kasmin, Pian bin Obur, Iyus Ibing bin Inon, Anwar bin Inon, Iyus Rizal bin Saepuloh, Toto, Dadang, Rustiawan, and Endang.

This incident follows a similar one on March 31, when 65 tons of expired munitions were involved in a fire and explosion at the Army ammunition depot in Ciangsana, Bogor District, also in West Java. Indonesian Defence Forces (TNI) Commander General Agus Subiyanto had confirmed the incident at that time.

(ANI)