Garut, West Java – At least 13 people were killed and several others injured on Monday after a series of explosions erupted during the disposal of expired ammunition in Indonesia’s West Java province, military officials confirmed.
According to Maj. Gen. Kristomei Sianturi, spokesperson for the Indonesian military, the deadly incident occurred in Sagara village, within an environmental conservation area in the Garut district, where soldiers were carrying out standard disposal operations for unusable and outdated munitions stored in a military warehouse.
Victims and Impact
The explosion claimed the lives of nine civilians and four army personnel, Sianturi said. Multiple individuals are currently being treated for injuries sustained in the blast. Local footage captured the chaotic aftermath, showing plumes of black smoke and a flash of light from the explosion, followed by ambulances rushing to evacuate victims.
Cause Under Investigation
While the exact cause of the blast remains unknown, investigators are focusing on whether proper disposal protocols were followed and how civilians came to be so close to the detonation site. Sianturi noted that locals are sometimes drawn to disposal sites to scavenge metal fragments, copper, or scrap iron from detonated grenades and mortars.
“There might be an unexpected second explosion after that,” Sianturi warned, pointing to the possibility that scavenging could have triggered the secondary blast.
The incident site—vacant land managed by West Java’s Natural Resources Conservation Agency—is located far from residential areas and is regularly used for military disposal operations. The area has since been secured and cleared for potential follow-up explosions.
A Recurring Issue
This marks the second major incident involving Indonesian military ammunition in just over a year. In March 2024, a fire at a military depot near Jakarta led to a series of explosions, highlighting ongoing safety concerns around the storage and disposal of old munitions.
The Indonesian military has pledged a full investigation into the latest tragedy, with special attention to civilian safety protocols, handling of expired ammunition, and site management practices to prevent future incidents.
