Firecracker Explosions in 6 Central Java Cities Injure 12 People; Police Arrest 36 Firecracker Manufacturers

Central Java Provincial Police (Polda Jateng) and subordinate district police forces have arrested 36 suspects in connection with the manufacture and distribution of illegal firecrackers across various regions of Central Java. Among those apprehended are individuals who themselves sustained injuries from explosions whilst engaged in firecracker manufacturing processes.

Kombes Pol Anwar Nasir, Director of Criminal Investigation at Central Java Provincial Police, revealed that the enforcement action against illegal firecracker manufacturers and distributors forms part of Operation Pekat Candi 2026. The operation has been conducted as a measure to maintain security ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2026.

Anwar stated that the investigation into firecracker distribution and manufacturing cases has resulted in 31 police reports filed across 20 subordinate district police forces and the provincial police headquarters. A total of 36 individuals have been arrested and designated as suspects.

“From all these reports, there have been six explosion incidents in the areas of Boyolali, Grobogan, Kendal, Banjarnegara, Wonosobo, and Pekalongan City, which have resulted in 12 people sustaining injuries. Among these victims, there is potential for them to also be suspects given that they were found to be mixing firecracker materials at the time the explosions occurred,” Anwar stated in his remarks on Thursday, 26 February 2026.

He disclosed that among the apprehended suspects are individuals who are still classified as minors. Their cases have been directly handled by the Women and Child Protection Unit (PPA).