Pekalongan Police Seize Dozens Of Hot Air Balloons

PEKALONGAN - Pekalongan City Police, Central Java, confiscated 40 hot air balloons and firecrackers of various sizes which were planned to be flown during the celebration of the Shawwalan tradition on D+7 Lebaran 2022.

"We together with the sub-district leadership communication forum (forkopincam) secured dozens of hot air balloons to be flown during the Shawwalan tradition and dozens of firecrackers from residents," said Pekalongan City Police Chief AKBP Wahyu Rohadi, quoted by Antara, Monday, May 9.

According to him, even though police officers have conducted raids on hot air balloons, there are still residents who are determined to make hot air balloons that will be flown wildly.

"Flighting illegal hot air balloons will jeopardize the safety of air lines, the Suutet network (extra high voltage airways), and people's homes. Therefore, we remind residents not to fly wild hot air balloons because it is dangerous," he said.

The Police Chief, who was accompanied by the Pekalongan Police Chief Selaran Kompol Basuki Budi Santosa, appealed to residents to fill the syawalan tradition with positive activities, not to do things that could pose a danger or safety to themselves or others.

"In Eid 2022, we urge the public to prioritize kindness with others, such as staying in touch and doing activities that are beneficial to others," he said.

Based on observations, even though the Pekalongan City Government and Pekalongan City Police do not allow illegal hot air balloon flights, there are still a number of hot air balloons flying in the sky.

A number of wild hot air balloons accompanied by the sound of firecrackers erupted in the sky since Monday morning on the eve of the celebration of the syawalan tradition.