Car Explodes at Nabire Petrol Station; Police Suspect Fuel Hoarding Syndicate

The Nabire Resort Police (Polres Nabire) are currently investigating allegations of fuel hoarding practices following an incident involving the explosion of a Toyota Avanza, registration PA 1884 KE. The incident occurred while the vehicle was refuelling at the Oyehe petrol station in Nabire Regency, Central Papua, on Monday afternoon.

The Head of Criminal Investigation at Nabire Police, Inspector Bogi Transtanto, confirmed that officers have conducted a crime scene investigation and secured the driver for further questioning. “The police have also secured several pieces of evidence found at the location to support the investigation process,” stated Inspector Bogi in Nabire on Tuesday.

Based on initial inspections at the scene, officers discovered shocking findings inside the burnt wreckage. Seventeen jerry cans were found, eight of which were filled with subsidised Pertalite fuel. In addition to the jerry cans, police discovered tools and pipe connections linked directly to the vehicle’s fuel filler neck. These pipes were designed to direct fuel into the jerry cans located inside the car’s cabin. This discovery strengthens the suspicion of fuel hoarding practices using modified tanks or filling systems.

The Sales Manager I for Pertamina Central Papua, Muhammad Rinaldi Suryanto, confirmed the explosion. He stated that Pertamina, alongside the Nabire Police and the Central Papua Regional Police, is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the blast. “We are still investigating whether the jerry cans found in the vehicle were connected directly to the tank or contained other products. CCTV footage has also been handed over to the police to assist the investigation,” said Rinaldi.

Rinaldi emphasised that petrol station operators had followed standard procedures by filling the vehicle’s tank directly. However, internal modifications within vehicles are often difficult to detect visually during the refuelling process. As a result of the incident, operations at the Oyehe petrol station have been temporarily suspended for investigation and safety purposes. The police have urged the public to remain calm and avoid speculation until the official investigation results are released.