Two killed in gas explosion

JAKARTA: Tambun Police are still in the dark about the cause of a gas cylinder blast that killed two men on Thursday afternoon, an officer said on Friday.

"We still have no clue as to the cause of the explosion. The gas cylinder exploded when it was being cleaned by the two men," said Tambun police subprecinct officer Soediyono.

Dedi Sunarya, 32, and his cousin Subur Irwanto, 14, were cleaning the gas cylinder on Thursday in the front part of Ros Country gunshop, Jl. Diponegoro 8, Tambun, Bekasi.

The tube, which had just been filled with gas, suddenly exploded as Dedi cleaned the outer part of the tube, followed by a heavy, thumping sound.

Tempo interaktif reported that the two men were thrown apart. Subur was flung two meters away into a concrete block wall and Dedi was hurled five meters outside the room. Both victims suffered serious injuries.

They were rushed to the nearby Juanda clinic but it was unable to treat them. They were taken, therefore, to Bekasi general hospital but died on the way. -- JP