Four dead, five injured in fireworks explosions

The Jakarta Post, Malang Wed, August 15



At least four people died and five were injured in the three separate fireworks explosions in Malang, East Java, on Tuesday.

The first explosion took place at 7 p.m. in Tumpang subdistrict, killing three: Ponari, 50, Listiana, 35 and Sodikin, 17. Siamah, Listiana’s mother, suffered severe burns and was rushed to Saiful Anwar Hospital in Malang.

Ponari was allegedly a fireworks maker and was working on some when the explosion occurred.

“The explosion destroyed Ponari’s house. The victims’ bodies are still buried under the house’s rubble,” said Malang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Rinto Djatmono on Wednesday.

At 8 p.m., an explosion occurred in Pakis subdistrict, killing a man named Sugianto and injuring three others, who were admitted to Saiful Anwar Hospital and Lavallette Hospital in Malang for medical treatment.

Two hours later, fireworks exploded in Kedungkandang subdistrict, severely injuring Mulyanto. He was also taken to Saiful Anwar Hospital.

East Java Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Hilman Thayib said that the police were currently investigating the cause of the explosions and the materials used to make the fireworks.

The police’s forensic team was also deployed to collect of the victims’ remains. “Their bodies are scattered everywhere due to the big explosion,” he said.

The police claimed that they had created strict regulations on fireworks to prevent such incidents from happening. Those found guilty of making and distributing fireworks could face up to 12 years in prison.

“The problem is that residents keep making fireworks despite the regulation,” he said