East Java Police Chief: Explosion In Bangkalan Allegedly Due To Mortar

East Java Police Chief Imam Sugianto when answering questions from journalists, in Surabaya, Friday (29/12/2023). ANTARA/Willi Irawan.

East Java Police Chief Inspector General Imam Sugianto suspects that the devastating explosion that rocked Banyu Ajuh Village, Kamal District, Bangkalan Regency, came from mortars or guided missiles, causing one person to die.

"The mortar explosion. The workshop was a used iron collector. The owner of the workshop saw the mortar maybe in iron, then saw it, maybe it wanted to be cut into pieces. Suddenly a spark appeared, there was smoke doused with smoke still billowing suddenly the voters ran away, as soon as they ran, "said the East Java Police Chief in Surabaya, Friday, December 29.

The explosion occurred on Friday at around 08.30 WIB. As a result of this explosion, a person died on behalf of Gugus (55), a resident of Bedak Timur Village, Banyu Ajuh Village, Kamal District, Bangkalan Regency.

The mortar is thought to have come from an era of war that is shaped like cucumber.

"That's why I urge the public if there are mortar findings, they are mortar explosives that are still active, we don't know whether they have been detonated or not," he said, quoted by Antara.

Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations of the East Java Police, Kombes Dirmanto, said that the explosion resembling the sound of this bomb came from a garbage shelter owned by Hori, a resident of Dumangur Hamlet, Banyu Ajuh Village, Kamal District, Bangkalan Regency.

The explosion also sparked a fire in the place and damaged a number of residents' houses. The location of the explosion point is about 300 meters from Kamal Harbor.

Apart from causing one death, the incident also resulted in five injuries and shortness of breath. The following is the identity of the victim:

1. Suryanto (46), a resident of Banyu Ajuh Village, Kamal District, Bangkalan Regency.

2. Riska (17), a resident of Cendana Housing, Bangkalan Regency.

3. Ika (35), a resident of Baru Hamlet, Kamal Village, Bangkalan Regency.

4. Endang, a resident of Cendana Housing, Bangkalan Regency.

5. Siti Hamamah, (36) a resident of Kampung Baru Hamlet, Bangkalan Regency.