On May 12, 2025, a tragic explosion occurred in Sagara Village, Cibalong District, Garut Regency, West Java, Indonesia, during the disposal of expired and unusable ammunition by the Indonesian Army (TNI).
The incident, which took place around 9:30 AM WIB, claimed 13 lives, including four military personnel and nine civilians, and left no reported survivors among those at the site.
The ammunition, stored at the Central Ammunition Depot (Gupusmu) III of the Indonesian Army Equipment Center (Puspalad), was being detonated in a pit at a designated disposal site managed by the Garut Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), a location regularly used for such operations.
The explosion happened during the preparation of a third disposal pit, where detonators were being arranged, following two successful detonations earlier that morning. According to army spokesman Brig. Gen. Wahyu Yudhayana, the blast was unexpected, and the cause remains under investigation by the TNI.
Reports indicate that some civilian victims may have been involved in the destruction process or were collecting leftover shells for resale, raising concerns about inadequate site security. Videos circulating online suggest civilians were present in the area, pointing to potential lapses in securing the site post-detonation.
The victims’ bodies were taken to Pameungpeuk Regional General Hospital (RSUD Pameungpeuk) for identification and autopsy. Named civilian victims include Agus bin Kasmin, Pian bin Obur, Iyus Ibing bin Inon, Anwar bin Inon, Iyus Rizal bin Saepuloh, Toto, Dadang, Rustiawan, and Endang.
The Indonesian House of Representatives, through Deputy Chairperson Dave Akbarshah Fikarno Laksono, has urged the TNI to evaluate its ammunition disposal procedures to prevent future tragedies.
This incident marks the second deadly explosion involving expired munitions in Indonesia within a little over a year, prompting calls for stricter safety protocols and better risk communication to nearby communities.
