Several Residents' Homes Damaged by Steel Factory Explosion in Sidoarjo

Several residents’ homes in Janti Village, Waru District, Sidoarjo Regency, East Java, sustained damage from an explosion originating from a local steel processing factory on Monday (6/4) afternoon approaching evening. Hot iron materials, vibrations, and a sound resembling a bomb were reported to have caused panic among the residents.

Based on observations by CNNIndonesia.com at the scene, damage was identified in the Wedoro Regency housing complex, RT 04 RW 01. At the location, at least three houses were affected. Additionally, damage was also reported in the Pelikan area, RW 08.

One affected resident in Wedoro Regency, Muhammad Nur Holis (61), said the explosion around 2:00 PM WIB triggered panic. According to him, the blast sounded like a bomb detonation. He recounted that during the incident, he was at another house nearby. He only learned about the condition of his home after receiving a report from the housing security officer.

“There was a sound like a bomb, boom like that. Like a bomb. I was selling goods, so I quickly came here. I was worried,” said Nur Holis when met at the location on Monday (6/4).

Nur Holis mentioned that upon arriving at the house, he found hot iron sheet material that had fallen and pierced the roof and ceiling of his home. Fortunately, the house was empty at the time because his family members were outside engaging in activities.

“There was a lot of that collapse. Four roof tiles were completely broken, there are marks. Iron and a lot of ceiling debris. I repaired the tiles myself temporarily by placing them on top; if it rains, it would leak and damage other things,” he continued.

Observations at the scene showed that the iron sheet suspected of hitting Nur Holis’s roof, causing it to break, measured about 15 centimetres (cm) x 8 cm. Its thickness was estimated at 2-3 cm, and its weight around 2 kilograms.

“I don’t know what that object is, but it’s very heavy,” he said.

Not only that, Nur Holis claimed the explosion’s vibrations were felt even at his other residence in the Jatayu area. He described the blast’s force as causing the ground and buildings to shake.

“That house shook. It vibrated. Even though the distance from here to there (the explosion source) is about 500 to 700 metres,” added Nur Holis.

Meanwhile, Icha, another affected resident, described the moments before the explosion. According to her, a blue-coloured light flash appeared before the loud bang was heard twice.

“Before the explosion, there was a light flash. At my place, I saw it as blue; the security guard saw it as yellow. Then the bomb sound (explosion) twice. After that, things fell apart. The locked doors and windows even opened by themselves,” said Icha.

Icha, who was working at the time, said she was deeply shocked by the incident. Even, due to the strong vibrations, kitchen utensils and freshly prepared food fell to the floor.

“I ran outside because I was afraid something might happen. The explosion was unnatural, not like an electrical transformer, but really like gunpowder, like a bomb explosion. I’ve experienced it before during the Kuningan bombing in Jakarta; the sound was the same, the thud was the same,” she said.

As of this report, residents are still awaiting accountability from the company regarding the damage to their homes and are concerned about the potential for follow-up explosions. Residents hope for immediate repairs.

Meanwhile, East Java Police deployed a bomb disposal team (Jibom) from the Brimob Gegana Detachment to the scene of the explosion at the PT Great Wall Steel (GWS) steel processing factory.

This step was taken to conduct sterilisation and process the crime scene following the explosion incident that killed one worker.

Sidoarjo Police Chief Kombes Pol Christian Tobing confirmed that the deployment of this explosives expert team was to comb the area and ensure the exact cause of the loud bang.

“Members of the Police Resort and Sub-district Police, as well as the Jibom Gegana team, are at the location still processing the scene while we determine the cause of the explosion sound,” said Christian.

Based on preliminary investigation results, the incident began during metal cutting activities inside the factory. The explosion was reported when two workers were cutting scrap iron using a welding tool. Unfortunately, one truck assistant died after being hit by iron shrapnel.

“The incident was at PT GWS, Waru District. The chronology is that there were two people cutting, named P and J. Then, while cutting scrap iron using a blender welder, an explosion occurred from the iron welding,” he said.

“Then there was a victim named R, who died,” he continued.

The police have evacuated the deceased victim and are recording data from eyewitnesses who were near the explosion point during the incident.