At least 13 people were killed, including nine civilians and four military personnel, when a scheduled disposal of expired ammunition by the Indonesian army triggered a deadly explosion in West Java province on Monday, according to military officials.

The explosion occurred in Sagara village, located in Garut Regency, during the morning hours as the army was conducting a routine demolition of expired ordnance. Major General Dedy Triyanto, an official with the Indonesian Army's information unit, confirmed the fatal incident and said the disposal was being carried out in accordance with standard military procedures.

“This tragic accident has cost lives, and we are deeply saddened by the loss of both civilian and military personnel,” Triyanto said.

This marks the second serious incident involving expired military ammunition in Indonesia within just over a year. In March 2024, a similar event caused a massive fire and a series of explosions at a military depot, raising fresh concerns over the safety protocols surrounding Indonesia’s munitions stockpiles.

According to military spokesperson Kristomei Sianturi, the civilian casualties were present near the blast site at the time of the explosion. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine both the cause of the blast and how non-military individuals came to be in proximity to the restricted zone.

Speaking in a televised briefing, Army Spokesperson Wahyu Yudhayana said: “The investigation will look into whether standard safety measures were followed and how civilians accessed the vicinity of the demolition zone.”

Emergency response teams and forensic investigators are currently at the site, and the military has pledged full transparency in the ongoing probe.

Local residents and community leaders have called for stricter safety zones and clearer communication to prevent similar tragedies in the future. (ILKHA)