Chronology of excavation explosion in Fatmawati injures two workers

Police have revealed the chronology of an excavation explosion that injured two workers on Jalan RS Fatmawati Raya, Cilandak, South Jakarta.

“The area was being repaired, and a breaker was being used to check for the presence of cables. It turns out there was a PLN cable there, which was struck,” stated Cilandak Police Chief, Commissioner Gusprihatin Zen, to reporters in Jakarta on Monday.

He explained that at the time, workers were excavating to repair a PDAM clean water pipe. However, during the inspection, a PLN electricity cable was discovered within the excavation site.

The two workers were reportedly thrown back due to the shock of the explosion from within the excavation.

“They were thrown back by the shock, the jolt from the machine and, well, when someone suffers burns, they are naturally thrown back, though not as far as three metres,” said Gusprihatin.

“The burns on the face are reported to be quite serious,” added Gusprihatin.

Police have since inspected the crime scene and interviewed three witnesses. The incident gained attention on social media platform X after a video circulated showing gas and debris resulting from the explosion in the Fatmawati Raya area.