Gas Balloon Explodes During Cooperative Day Event in Klungkung, 11 Injured
Eleven people, predominantly children, suffered burns after a gas balloon carrying a banner for the 79th Cooperative Day commemoration exploded at the Ida I Dewa Agung Istri Kanya Cultural Hall in Klungkung, Bali. The explosion occurred after a resident burned the balloon’s tether with a lighter when the balloon failed to launch.
The incident happened around 11:00 WITA, according to Klungkung Police Public Relations Head, Iptu Dewa Nyoman Alit Purnawibawa. He explained that the incident began when the committee attempted to fly the gas balloon carrying the opening banner for the 79th Cooperative Day. However, the balloon failed to take off because the banner was too heavy.
The failed balloon was then intended to be distributed to children around the event site. While attempting to release the tether, a resident instead burned the rope using a lighter. The flame from the lighter then ignited the gas inside the cluster of balloons, triggering an explosion. Residents and children near the balloon were immediately hit by the burst of flames.
As a result of the explosion, 11 people suffered burns. All victims were evacuated to the Klungkung Regional General Hospital for medical treatment. Police are currently conducting a crime scene investigation and examining several witnesses to determine the exact cause of the incident. Alit stated that his party could not yet detail the identities of all the victims.
Observations at the hospital’s emergency department showed several explosion victims were still undergoing intensive care, while some victims with lighter injuries had been allowed to return home. One of the victims still being treated is a father and child from Besan Village, Dawan District. Both had come to attend the 79th Cooperative Day commemoration.
Family member Wayan Swastika said the father’s condition remains quite serious, and he cannot yet be spoken to. The child is still undergoing treatment and appeared to be asleep. Swastika explained that the child had just started first grade at SDN 1 Dawan, with injuries to the left cheek downwards and the hands. According to Swastika, the father and child arrived at the event location around 06:00 WITA, and the incident occurred later in the morning. The father was holding the balloon when it exploded, leaving the child less severely injured while the father’s condition is quite serious.