TNI: Munitions Warehouse Explosion Occurred During Ammunition Maintenance

The Head of the Indonesian Army Information Service (Kadispenad), Brigadier General Donny Pramono, said the explosion at the TNI Central Ammunition Warehouse (Gupusmu) in Saradan District, Madiun Regency, East Java, occurred while soldiers were carrying out maintenance and upkeep of ammunition.

“Based on the initial report we received, the incident occurred while personnel were carrying out procedures for inspecting and maintaining ammunition materiél in one of the storage warehouses,” Donny said at a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday (16 July).

However, he could not explain in detail the main cause of the ammunition warehouse explosion. He was also unable to specify in detail the type of munitions that triggered the blast.

As a result of the incident, one soldier was killed and six others suffered injuries ranging from minor to severe.

“All victims were taken to hospital to receive immediate medical treatment, and the incident was reported procedurally through the chain of command,” he said.

Donny said the Army had formed an investigation team to find out what caused the ammunition warehouse to explode.

“We have formed an investigation team to conduct a thorough and comprehensive inquiry to determine with certainty the chronology and cause of the incident,” he explained.

For now, the Army is relying on the investigation team dispatched to Madiun to establish the main cause of the warehouse explosion.

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