Four more die in firecracker blast

BANYUMAS, Central Java: Four people, including two children, were killed in the latest firecracker explosion to hit the province over the weekend.

Local police chief Col. Carel Risakotta identified the fatalities as Rosyid and Sunarti, a couple from Munjul village, Darti, 11, and Ruli, 9, both from Pengalusan village.

Carel said the couple were producing the firecrackers when they exploded.

"We have conducted a series of raids to seize gunpowder and also arrested traders for questioning. We have also ordered dawn operations to search for firecrackers in local mosques," he added.

During the operations, the local police confiscated 78,000 firecracker wrappers and 50 kilograms of gunpowder.

The government has banned the making and selling of firecrackers, which are very popular among children during the fasting month of Ramadhan. (39/04)