Navy Investigates Blast at Ammunition Depot

Merak (Antara Bali) - Naval Chief of Staff Admiral Marsetio stated that the Navy is investigating the cause of an explosion at its ammunition depot in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta.

"We are still investigating it. We have just received a report about it," he noted at Merak port in Banten province on Wednesday.

Admiral Marsetio was at the Merak port to accompany President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during a roll call of the National Search and Rescue (SAR) Board held to mark its 42nd anniversary.

He pointed out that the explosion will not disrupt the Navy's operations. "This is only part of ammunition at the depot," he explained.

The ammunition kept at the depot was for light weapons, he added. "It was for light weapons. There are shooting range, pistol ammunition and rifles there. But their number is limited," he elaborated.

The ammunition depot of the Western Indonesian Fleet Command's frog force unit in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, exploded at around 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Spokesman of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Snr. Comr. Rikwanto stated that the Indonesian Navy is still looking into the cause of the explosion.

At least 25 people were injured in the explosion. They are being treated at the Mintoharjo Naval Hospital in Central Jakarta. (*/DWA)