Two detained in fatal blast as death toll rises to 16

Two detained in fatal blast as death toll rises to 16

Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Tegal, Central Java

Two suspects are in police custody after a fatal firecracker
explosion at a factory in Tegal, Central Java claimed the lives
of 16 workers on Sunday.

Tegal deputy police chief Yohanes Edy Kusnowo told The Jakarta
Post on Sunday that the two suspects were both residents of
Tegal.

"We are detaining Edy Sukamto, who runs the factory, and
Kosasih, who applied for the factory's license," Edy Kusnowo
said.

The two are being held at Tegal Police station and are being
interrogated.

Edy Kusnowo said the number of those killed at the Tegal
firecracker factory rose to 16 on Sunday.

"Six died instantly after the explosion, nine died at the
hospital, and one was dead on arrival," he said.

Edy Kusnowo said 12 of the victims were women.

Nine others are listed in critical condition at the Dr.
Soesilo Hospital in Tegal.

Edy Kusnowo said that police investigators were trying to
determine the main cause of the explosion.

"It is very likely that the materials used to make
firecrackers and the fireworks caught fire," he said.

It is not known if the plant had obtained a permit to produce
firecrackers from the police. Although Kosasih had reportedly
secured a license three years ago, the plant was not in operation
until eight months ago.

"We don't know yet if the permit was issued or not. We will
know after we complete the investigation of the two suspects,"
Edy Kusnowo said.

The first report on Saturday said 10 people were killed
instantly in the explosion that also left nearby buildings
damaged.

There are about 40 workers at the plant, mostly women.

Last month, at least 12 people died and 18 were injured when a
crowded passenger bus carrying firecrackers exploded and caught
fire in Lohbener district, Indramayu, West Java.

Firecrackers, which are used in rural areas to celebrate
weddings, circumcisions, and other festivities, are officially
banned in Indonesia but security personnel are rarely
implementing the law.