Fire crackers confiscated

SEMARANG: Police in several areas have, over the past two weeks, seized about 276,000 fire crackers and 138 kilograms of explosives for making fire crackers.

Ten people have been arrested on charges of making the crackers, which are popular in Idul Fitri revelries.

"The crackers were confiscated from traders and producers," Lt. Col. Bardja, spokesman for the Central Java police, told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

The authorities have identified Jepara, Tegal, Brebes, Purwodadi, Magelang and Semarang as major producers of the illegal goods.

Over the past couple of weeks, five people have been killed and dozens injured in accidents involving fire crackers in Central Java, Bardja said. (har)