JAKARTA - Police are investigating the incident where a tank shell, also known as a mortar shell, exploded after being ground by a man identified as I in Ujung Harapan Village, Bahagia Village, Babelan District, Bekasi Regency, resulting in the victim's death.
"The type and other details are still being investigated by the Jakarta Metropolitan Police's Bomb Squad," said Babelan Police Chief, Commissioner Wito, in Bekasi Regency on Monday, as reported by Antara.
He explained that the incident began when a man identified as I (27), a scavenger, found an object identified as a tank shell, a type of mortar shell. The victim intended to sell it by first cutting the shell with a grinder.
"He found a mortar shell. The Bomb Squad team's crime scene investigation indicates it was a mortar shell. He ground the shell, which then exploded, hitting the victim," he said.
Wito explained that the explosion resulted in the victim being pronounced dead at the scene with injuries to his stomach and arm.
"According to the crime scene investigation, the victim was alone. He had wounds to his stomach and hands, both caused by the explosion," he said.
The victim's body has been taken to the Kramat Jati National Police Hospital for further investigation. The crime scene has been declared sterile. Officers are conducting an in-depth investigation into the details of the mortar and the explosive power of the object.
The Mobile Brigade Corps Bomb Squad (Gegana) team was also at the scene to determine whether other explosives were present.
Wito admitted that the family had initially forbidden him from cutting the object, but the victim persisted because he wanted to sell it.
"The family had warned him, 'Don't cut it, don't do anything to it,' but the man was ground to pieces because he wanted to weigh it and sell it," he said.
Residents of Ujung Harapan Village, Bahagia Village, Babelan District, Bekasi Regency, were shocked by the sound of a tank shell explosion that killed one person on Sunday evening, November 23.
Kholid (42), a local resident, said the incident occurred while he was inside his house. He heard a loud explosion.
"I was actually at home, and then there was a sound like 'bang,' like an explosion, like firecrackers. I thought I was usually at the PLN substation or gas cylinder," he said.
He immediately approached the explosion site, about 20 meters from his house. At the scene, he also found the victim lying dead.
"The victim was lying down. I saw him, he was asleep. Yes (dead)," he said.
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