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.