The New Year celebrations at Bengkong Palapa in Batam, Riau Islands, turned fatal after several large-sized fireworks sparked simultaneously, taking one life and injuring six others.

Wahyudi, a local man who witnessed the accident, said that a man named Gilang, 25, had been thrown by the force of the firework explosion and died upon arrival at Budi Kemuliaan Hospital in Batam, early Friday.

Local people had purchased the fireworks as part of their celebrations. However, the fireworks had, according to Wahyudi, exploded unexpectedly and those people whom had been standing in the vicinity had been hurt.

"When the fireworks blew up, Gilang was directly exposed and fell on the floor. Six other people were hurt on their heads and legs," he told thejakartapost.com.

The explosions also shattered the window glass of four nearby houses, Wahyudi added.

Batam, Rempang and Galang police chief Snr.Comr. Asep Safruddin said that the police had begun their investigation into the incident.

"We are still investigating the crime scene. We are curious as to how the explosion came to be so massive," he said, referring to statements made by the general public, many of whom have said that they heard bombs explode.

The Riau Island Police bomb squad has been assigned to investigate the incident further. (rin)

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