House Member Calls for Thorough Investigation into Madiun Ammunition Depot Explosion

A member of the House of Representatives Commission I, TB Hasanuddin, has called on the Indonesian Army’s investigative team to conduct a thorough inquiry into the explosion at the Army’s Central Ammunition Depot (Gupusmu) II in Madiun Regency, East Java. “The investigative team must examine whether the ammunition storage system met all requirements and safety standards, from the condition of the room, temperature regulation, to the arrangement of ammunition inside the warehouse, as well as the implementation of security procedures,” Hasanuddin stated in Jakarta on Friday. He added that the investigation should also verify the condition and age of the stored ammunition, including whether any had expired, was damaged, or had suffered quality degradation. The politician, a retired Army high-ranking officer, emphasised that the placement of the ammunition depot, which is too close to residential areas, must also be evaluated. He said that if the facility no longer meets safe distance standards, it should be relocated to a more secure area away from populated zones. “The results of the investigation must serve as the basis for improving the ammunition storage, supervision, and security systems to prevent similar incidents from recurring,” Hasanuddin asserted. The explosion occurred on Thursday while soldiers were conducting routine maintenance and inspection of expired ammunition. Army Information Chief Brigadier General Donny Pramono confirmed that one soldier was killed and six others suffered minor to serious injuries. All victims have been evacuated to a local hospital for medical treatment.