Firecracker blast injures five

PURBALINGGA, Central Java: At least five people were injured when hundreds of firecrackers exploded in Purbalingga market on Sunday, police said on Monday.

The five victims were identified as Sodri, Misto, Mansyur and two children, namely Erni and her younger brother Sukron. All suffered from burns and were rushed to Purbalingga General Hospital.

Purbalingga Police Precinct chief Supt. Sukamto Handoko said police had arrested a firecracker vendor Rohmat and seized 6,000 firecrackers in his possession.

He said the incident occurred when Rohmat lighted a firecracker in front of buyers but later threw it away because he thought it was not going to explode.

"But Erni and Sukron, who were playing in the area, picked it up just before it went off," Sukamto said.

The ensuing blast then detonated hundreds of other (firecrackers) stored at Rohmat's kiosk," he said.

The three others injured were standing near the kiosk.

Separately, Banyumas Police Precinct deputy chief Supt. Agus Yudharto pledged that police would take uncompromising action against firecracker traders and distributors in the area. (45/lup)