At least 13 people, including four soldiers and nine civilians, were killed in a tragic explosion during the disposal of expired military ammunition in Sagara village, Garut district, West Java, Indonesia, on Monday morning.
The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. local time during a routine operation by the Indonesian Army to destroy obsolete munitions in a conservation area managed by the West Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency.
According to military officials, two batches of ammunition were successfully detonated before an unexpected blast occurred during preparations for a third disposal.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, with authorities examining whether standard safety protocols were followed.
The site, while typically used for such operations and located away from residential areas, may have attracted civilians seeking scrap metal, potentially contributing to the casualties.
All victims were transported to Pameungpeuk General Hospital for medical attention and post-mortem examinations.
The Indonesian Army has pledged a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident and to prevent future occurrences.
This incident underscores the inherent risks associated with munitions disposal and highlights the need for stringent safety measures to protect both military personnel and civilians.
