Explosion at Grand Polonia Luxury Home in Medan Traps Several People

An explosion at a luxury home in the Grand Polonia complex in Medan, North Sumatra, on Monday afternoon has left several people feared trapped inside the rubble. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. local time at a two-storey house on Jalan Number 3B in the Suka Damai sub-district.

The force of the blast destroyed the front of the building, scattering debris that struck at least three cars parked outside. Medan Fire and Rescue Service chief Wandro Abadi Agnellus Malau confirmed that some individuals are believed to be trapped, but rescue personnel have been unable to enter the structure due to the heavy wreckage and the need for heavy machinery.

“We received a report about the incident. Our personnel immediately went to the location. The information is that there are people trapped inside the house,” Wandro told CNNIndonesia.com. He added that the cause of the explosion remains unknown and that a full chronology is yet to be established.

Medan Polonia sub-district head Alfi Pane said the blast damaged not only the main house but also four to five surrounding properties, causing canopies to collapse, zinc roofs to be damaged, and several walls to cave in. Police are at the scene, and a full investigation is underway to determine the number of casualties and the source of the explosion.