13 Dead in West Java Ammunition Disposal Blast, Including 4 Soldiers

Last Updated May - 13 - 2025, 05:00 PM | Source : Fela News

At least 13 people, including four soldiers, were killed in an explosion during expired ammunition disposal in West Java, Indonesia. Authorities are investigati

At least 13 people, including four soldiers, were killed in an explosion during the disposal of expired ammunition in Indonesia’s West Java province on Monday (May 12, 2025), according to military officials. The exact cause of the blast remains under investigation.

The incident occurred in Sagara village, Garut district, where Indonesian Army personnel were disposing of expired and unusable ammunition stored at a military warehouse. The disposal was taking place on land managed by West Java's Natural Resources Conservation Agency, commonly used for such operations due to its remote location.

According to Indonesian Military spokesperson Major General Kristomei Sianturi, an initial explosion was followed by a second blast. Nine civilians and four military personnel lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment.

Authorities are examining whether proper disposal protocols were followed. Major General Sianturi noted that such activities often attract local residents who collect metal debris, including fragments of grenades and mortars — a practice that may have contributed to a secondary explosion.

Television footage captured the fiery blasts and thick plumes of black smoke, with emergency crews rushing in to evacuate the wounded and retrieve the deceased.