Hundreds of Balloons Explode, Seven Injured

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Hundreds of helium balloons exploded incidentally when Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo and several ministers attended an inauguration ceremony of culinary complex in West Jakarta, Thursday.

The explosion injured seven people consisting of three men and four women attending the ceremony. The victims suffering  minor burns were rushed by an ambulance to a nearby hospital, the Royal Hospital Taruma.

The balloons exploded when the officials were tasting food offered during the inauguration ceremony on Damai Street, Daan Mogot, West Jakarta.

Governor Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, and some ministers stayed calm when the explosion occurred, despite the fact that they were about five meters away from the blast site.

The balloons were expected to be released at the end of the event that marked the new culinary site opening in Daan Mogot.

The loud explosion made most visitors and organizing committee  members panic-striken and tried to save themselves.

Ministers attending the opening ceremony were Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan, Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi, Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Hasan Sharif and Interior Minister Gamawan Fauzi. (IGT/T007)