Skip to content 
INDONESIAUPDATES.COM, News En – A recent explosion in Garut, West Java, has exposed a troubling practice: local residents were hired to dismantle expired military ammunition for as little as IDR 150,000 (approximately USD 9.30) per day. The incident has raised serious concerns about safety, oversight, and the disposal of military waste in Indonesia.
The information emerged following the fatal Garut ammunition explosion on Monday, May 12, 2025, which claimed multiple lives and left several injured. One of the victim’s relatives, Agus Setiawan, spoke to reporters at the funeral home, revealing that the community had long been involved in dismantling ammunition materials.
“We worked as laborers, sir. We opened the casings and were paid Rp 150,000 per day,” Agus said.
Minimal Supervision and High Risk
According to Agus, the dangerous work often spanned several days depending on the volume of ammunition delivered to be disassembled. In addition to daily wages, residents sometimes earned extra income by selling leftover metal scraps from dismantled ammunition to local collectors.
“Sometimes Rp 50,000, sometimes Rp 100,000 — there are collectors,” Agus added.
He also noted that local organizers, often community elders, could earn up to IDR 200,000 per day by coordinating the labor and distribution.
Investigation Underway
The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) are currently investigating the cause of the explosion and reviewing the procedures for expired ammunition disposal. Authorities suspect a direct link between the unauthorized dismantling activities and the tragic blast.
The West Java Provincial Government announced it would coordinate with both military and police forces to examine how such hazardous materials ended up being handled in civilian areas — and by untrained individuals.
A National Wake-Up Call
This tragedy underscores the urgent need for transparent and accountable military waste management in Indonesia. The use of civilians — often from economically vulnerable communities — in high-risk dismantling tasks with little to no protective equipment or supervision represents a serious breach of safety protocols.
FAQ: Garut Expired Ammunition Explosion Tragedy
1. What happened in Garut regarding the ammunition explosion?
On Monday, May 12, 2025, a deadly explosion occurred in Cimerak Village, Garut, West Java. The explosion is suspected to be linked to a community practice of dismantling expired ammunition. Several residents had been paid to disassemble the ammunition without proper safety protocols.
2. How were the residents involved in dismantling expired ammunition?
Residents in Cimerak Village were reportedly hired to dismantle expired military ammunition. They were paid IDR 150,000 (approximately USD 9.30) per day for their work, which sometimes involved breaking open ammunition casings and extracting metal scraps, which could be sold for additional income.
3. Why were civilians involved in dismantling dangerous ammunition?
The residents were involved in this hazardous task due to lack of oversight and the absence of proper military waste management. The practice has been going on for some time, with locals often being hired by community leaders or “elders” to perform these tasks.
4. What was the cause of the explosion?
While investigations are still ongoing, authorities suspect that the explosion was directly related to the dismantling of expired ammunition. It is believed that improper handling or storage of the materials could have led to the deadly blast.
5. How much were the residents paid for dismantling the ammunition?
Residents were paid IDR 150,000 per day for their labor. Additionally, they sometimes earned extra income by selling metal scraps left over from dismantling the ammunition to local collectors.
6. Was there any supervision over these activities?
There was minimal supervision or oversight during the dismantling process. The workers, many of whom were untrained and vulnerable, had little protection or guidance, making the process extremely dangerous.
7. Who is responsible for this tragedy?
Investigations by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and local authorities are underway to determine the cause of the explosion and to identify the parties responsible for mishandling military waste in residential areas.
8. What actions are being taken following the explosion?
The West Java Provincial Government is coordinating with both the military and police to investigate how expired ammunition was being handled in residential areas. Authorities are also looking into creating stricter regulations for military waste management and ensuring proper disposal methods to prevent future incidents.
9. What impact has this incident had on the local community?
The explosion has caused significant loss of life and injury, deeply affecting the Cimerak Village community. The incident has also raised widespread concerns about community safety and the lack of adequate government oversight in the handling of military materials.
10. How can the public ensure similar incidents don’t happen again?
The public is urging for greater transparency, regulation, and accountability in the disposal and management of military waste. There is also a call for increased community awareness about the risks of handling hazardous materials without proper training or equipment.
FOLLOW INDONESIAUPDATES.COM ON GOOGLE NEWS
