Meulaboh, Aceh (ANTARA) - Police in West Aceh said a gas leak likely caused the oxygen tank explosion that killed two workers and damaged nearby buildings at a refilling station in Gampa village, Meulaboh, on Wednesday.
“The initial investigation indicates the blast was triggered by a leak during the refilling process,” said Adjunct Senior Commissioner Roby Afrizal, head of the West Aceh police criminal investigation unit, on Thursday.
Two workers were killed in the explosion. The first victim, Ramli, 35, was from Medan, North Sumatra, and the second, M. Rizki, 20, was from Nisam, Lhokseumawe, Aceh.
Rizki lived in Padang Mancang Village, Kaway XVI Subdistrict, West Aceh.
A third worker, 28-year-old Malikul from Blang Geunang Village, Kaway XVI Subdistrict, survived the blast. He had been delivering oxygen cylinders at the site when the explosion occurred.
Afrizal said investigators are still examining possible technical faults and human error.
“The explosion happened suddenly during the refilling process when one of the cylinders leaked, triggering a large blast and a fire inside the warehouse,” he said.
The explosion destroyed parts of the warehouse, damaged oxygen cylinders, and ruined refilling equipment, causing significant financial losses.
Afrizal expressed condolences to the victims’ families and said police were working to determine the exact cause of the accident.
He stressed the importance of strict safety standards in industrial operations and gas refilling facilities.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims and their families. All gas refilling operators must prioritize safety procedures to prevent future accidents,” he said.
Police continue to question witnesses and coordinate with technical experts and the gas supplier to identify the source of the leak and determine accountability.
Similar oxygen tank explosions have occurred in other regions. On Thursday, August 12, 2021, for instance, a worker at oxygen distributor PT Baja Sarana Sejahtera (BSS) on Antasari Street in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, suffered severe head and body injuries when a customer’s cylinder exploded during refilling.
A witness, Abetnego, said the victim, identified as Yohanes, was badly injured when the customer’s oxygen tank suddenly exploded while waiting to be refilled.
“The explosion caused serious injuries, especially to his head,” Abetnego said.
