Java: In West Java, an explosion during the disposal of outdated military munitions claimed the lives of at least 13 persons. The Indonesian Defense Forces were cited in an article by Antara News. The explosion happened on Monday.

Four military personnel who participated in the operation to get rid of obsolete munitions in Sagara hamlet in the Garut region of West Java are among the dead.

Major General Kristomei Sianturi, the Chief of the Indonesian military’s (TNI) Information Office, told Antara News that their remains had been taken to the Pameungpeuk Regional General Hospital for pre-funeral care and autopsy.

In a TV interview in Jakarta on Monday, he said, “As a precaution against other potential explosions, we are working with on-site officers to secure and clear the incident site.”

The explosion happened at 9:30 am local time as Army officials were attempting to get rid of unneeded and expired munitions at a location owned by the Garut District Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), according to Antara News, which cited the military.

“The Garut BKSDA site has been regularly used for the disposal of expired ammunition,” Kristomei said. He said that the ammo came from the Indonesian Army Equipment Center’s ammo Depot No. 3 (Puspalad).

Colonel Antonius Hermawan, Major Anda Rohanda, Second Corporal Eri Dwi Priambodo, and First Private Aprio Setiawan were the four TNI officers that perished in the accident, according to Antara News. Agus bin Kasmin, Pian bin Obur, Iyus Ibing bin Inon, Anwar bin Inon, Iyus Rizal bin Saepuloh, Toto, Dadang, Rustiawan, and Endang were the citizens that made up the remaining casualties.

A similar incident involving expired ammunition occurred on March 31. Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Commander General Agus Subiyanto confirmed that an explosion and fire that engulfed the Army ammunition depot in Ciangsana, Bogor District, West Java, had affected 65 tons of expired ammunition.