TNI: Madiun Ammunition Depot Exploded While Soldiers Were Maintaining Munitions

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Head of the Indonesian Army Information Service (Kadispenad), Brigadier General TNI Donny Pramono, stated that the Army’s Central Ammunition Depot (Gupusmu) in Saradan District, Madiun Regency, East Java, exploded whilst soldiers were carrying out munitions maintenance.

“Based on the initial report we received, the incident occurred when personnel were implementing inspection and maintenance procedures for munitions materiel in one of the storage warehouses,” Donny said during a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday.

However, Donny was unable to explain in detail the primary cause of the ammunition depot explosion. He also could not specify which type of munition triggered the blast.

Donny added that as a result of the incident, one soldier was killed and six others sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe.

“All victims have been taken to hospital for rapid medical treatment, and we are reporting this procedurally through the chain of command,” he said.

The Army is currently relying on an investigation team dispatched to Madiun to determine the root cause of the depot explosion.

“We also invite all parties to give the investigation team the space to work optimally and to avoid speculation regarding the cause of the incident before the entire examination process is complete,” Donny stated.