Gas Leak Explosion Leaves Meatball Vendor in Depok with Severe Burns

An explosion from a leaking gas cylinder occurred in Bojongsari, Depok City, West Java. As a result, a meatball vendor with the initial D (37) suffered severe burns across his entire body.

The incident took place on Monday, 9 March 2026 at 00:00 WIB in Duren Seribu, Bojongsari, Depok. Initially, the victim purchased a gas cylinder and placed it in the kitchen.

Around 06:30 WIB, the victim returned home from shopping at the market. He then installed the gas cylinder he had purchased in preparation for selling meatballs.

“However, when the gas cylinder was being installed, it leaked. The regulator was removed from the gas cylinder. The victim panicked and submerged the gas cylinder in a bathroom bucket,” stated Bojongsari Police Chief Inspector Fauzan Thohari in his statement on Monday, 9 March.

Around 07:30 WIB, the victim retrieved the gas cylinder that had been submerged in the bathroom. Believing the cylinder’s contents were empty, the victim purchased a gas refill at a shop near his residence.

“After that, around 08:00 WIB, when the victim installed the newly purchased gas cylinder, and then turned on the stove, it immediately exploded,” he explained.

Fauzan stated that the explosion was triggered by the accumulation of gas from the leaking cylinder for approximately one hour whilst submerged in the bathroom. The gas filled the rental room and then ignited when the victim lit the stove with the new gas cylinder.

“The explosion is believed to have been triggered by gas leaking for approximately one hour that was submerged in the bathroom, releasing gas that filled the rental room, and is believed to be the cause of the explosion,” he said.

As a result of the incident, the victim suffered burns across his entire body. The victim is currently receiving medical treatment at Khidmat Sehat Afiat Hospital in Depok.

“Police have checked the scene and also examined the victim at Depok Hospital, Sawangan,” he concluded.