10 people killed, 17 injured in blast at Tegal firecracker factory

10 people killed, 17 injured in blast at Tegal firecracker factory

Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Tegal, Central Java

At least 10 people were killed and 17 others severely injured
when a huge explosion destroyed a firecracker factory and damaged
nearby buildings in the Central Java town of Tegal on Saturday,
police said.

Six people died instantly when the explosion ripped through
the factory in Kalibakung village, Balapulang district. All 27 of
the victims, believed to be factory workers, were taken to the
Dr. Soesilo Hospital in the nearby town of Slawi.

Doctors at the hospital said the victims sustained severe
burns, raising fears that the death toll could rise.

Balapulang Police chief Second Insp. Sujipto said the
explosion took place at about 11:30 a.m., and could have been
triggered by sparks from a short circuit in the factory's machine
room.

The fire spread to firecracker warehouse near the factory,
which belonged to a villager identified as H. Kosasih, the
officer said.

But Sujipto said the police had not yet established a definite
cause of the explosion. He said officers were not ruling out any
potential causes for the explosion, including the improper mixing
of the raw materials used in the firecracker.

"So we are not yet able to conclude what the definite cause of
the accident was, and the investigation is still ongoing," he
said, adding that the probe would involve a forensic team from
the Central Java Police.

Sujipto said the police were questioning the owner of the
factory, Kosasih, and an unnamed technician.

However, it is unclear whether the two had been detained by
the police.

Sujipto also said the factory and most of the surrounding
buildings, including the warehouse, had been razed by the
explosion and ensuing fire.

Khotimah, a 25-year-old factory worker, said she heard an
explosion in a maintenance room shortly after leaving the factory
for her lunch break.

"This was followed with two other explosions, at the
firecracker warehouse. Many workers fled to safety but not
everyone was able to get out," she said.

Firecrackers are often produced in small, home-based factories
that are unregulated and lack proper safety equipment.

Firecrackers are officially banned, but the security
authorities rarely enforce the law. They are usually used in
rural areas to celebrate weddings, circumcisions and other
festivities.

Last month, at least 12 people died and 18 others were injured
when a crowded passenger bus transporting a large load of
firecracker exploded into flames in Lohbener district, Indramayu,
West Java.