Expired Ammunition Explosion in Garut, Indonesia Kills 13 – Why Were Civilians Among the Victims? | Gita Blog Sport
Gitablogsport.com - An explosion during the destruction of expired ammunition in Cibalong, Garut Regency, West Java, resulted in the deaths of 13 people nine of whom were civilians. The tragic incident has raised serious concerns about military safety protocols and risk communication with the public.
Chronology of the Explosion in Cibalong
The deadly blast occurred on Monday (May 12) around 09:30 AM local time, during a demolition exercise involving expired ammunition owned by the Indonesian Army (TNI AD). The operation took place near the coast in Sagara Village, Cibalong District.
According to Kompas.com, the ammunition was being disposed of by the Central Ammunition Warehouse Team (Gupusmu III) from the Army’s Equipment Center (Puspalad). While the initial stages went according to plan, a sudden explosion occurred from one of the pits used for placing detonators, causing numerous fatalities.
Victims and Military Response
Brigadier General Wahyu Yudhayana, Head of the Army’s Public Information Office, confirmed that nine of the victims were local residents and the remaining four were members of the military. All bodies were transported to Pameungpeuk Regional General Hospital for further investigation.
Among the military personnel killed were Colonel Cpm Antonius Hermawan and Major Cpl Anda Rohanda. Civilian victims included Agus bin Kasmin, Ipan bin Obur, Iyus bin Inon, and others.
Possible Cause of the Blast: Negligence or Accident?
Brigadier General Kristomei Sianturi, Head of TNI's Information Center, stated that the incident may have been caused by a second explosion triggered by an undetonated device. He also suggested that civilians may have been collecting leftover metal debris, such as grenade and mortar fragments, when the secondary explosion occurred.
The military emphasized that a thorough investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of the tragedy.
Was Prior Warning Adequate?
Cibalong Subdistrict Head, Dianavia Faizal, confirmed that TNI had informed local authorities about the demolition plan approximately one week in advance. He also noted that similar demolitions had been conducted regularly in the area and were generally familiar to residents.
Despite this, the recent incident suggests that risk communication and post-demolition area control may have been insufficient.
Security Expert: Routine Doesn’t Justify Lax Safety
Khairul Fahmi, a defense analyst from the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISESS), criticized the failure to secure the perimeter of the blast site. He acknowledged that the coastal location was appropriate for demolitions but pointed to circulating videos showing civilians present near the site after the initial explosion.
“From the footage, it seems there was a breakdown in area security. Civilians were seen moving around a site that should have been strictly off-limits,” Khairul told BBC News Indonesia.
He emphasized that the normalization of these demolitions among residents should not lead to a relaxation of safety protocols.
Thorough Evaluation Needed
The tragedy underscores the importance of enforcing strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) in high-risk military activities. Clear communication with the public and proper area security must be prioritized to prevent civilian casualties, especially when dealing with volatile materials like ammunition and detonators.
Conclusion
The Garut explosion serves as a stark reminder that even routine military operations can result in disaster if safety standards are compromised. Whether due to procedural failure or lack of awareness among civilians, a comprehensive investigation is essential to ensure such an incident never happens again.