Firecracker blast kills child

Firecracker blast kills child

TANGERANG: An 11-year-old girl died in a blast at a firecracker factory in Ranca Pasir village, Jambe district in Tangerang regency on Monday afternoon. The blast also seriously injured two other teenagers.

Tangerang Police chief Sr. Comr. I Ketut Untung Yoga Ana told The Jakarta Post that the three were working at a firecracker factory belonging to a resident named Surdaya when the materials used to produce firecrackers suddenly exploded.

The body of the girl, named Wati, was taken to the Tangerang General Hospital morgue, while Pudin, 14, and Rusnandi, 15, were rushed to Rangkas Bitung General Hospital for treatment.

Firecrackers are traditionally used in festivities, including the Idul Fitri holiday which marks the end of the fasting month. The sale and use of firecrackers is illegal in Greater Jakarta. -- JP