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Indonesia fireworks factory explosion kills at least 30, injures dozens

Thursday, 26 October 2017 9:51 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 26 October 2017 9:53 AM ]

Indonesian forensic policemen work after a fire disaster in Tangerang Kota, Banten province on October 26, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

An explosion and a fire at a fireworks factory on the western outskirts of Indonesia's capital killed at least 30 people and injured dozens on Thursday, officials said.

Television broadcast images of thick plumes of dark smoke billowing from a warehouse in the Tangerang district of Jakarta, an industrial and manufacturing hub on the island of Java.

Media, quoting witnesses, said there were two explosions, one at around 10 a.m. and then another about three hours later, both of which could be heard miles away.

Tangerang police chief Harry Kurniawan said the dead were discovered by his officers when they entered the factory warehouse, the Detik.com news portal reported.

Local media reported that most of the victims were women who worked in the building.

Dozens of people are being treated in three nearby hospitals, while the bodies of the dead are being taken to a police hospital in Jakarta for identification.

An electrical fault is believed to have caused the explosion, although police said they were still investigating the cause.

Media images of the PT Panca Buana Cahaya Sukses warehouse showed smoldering ash and debris, with the roof completely missing.

The factory had been operating for only two months, media said.

(Source: Agencies)

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