REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, RANTAUPRAPAT -- Dozens of residents at Panai Hilir Subdistrict, North Sumatra, on Wednesday (27/7) night wounded by fireworks while welcoming the annual event 'jamu laut'.

Arnoldi Purba, an eyewitness who also a victim of the blast, said the incident had occurred before the event started. Residents have organized fireworks and artists from Malaysia. At that time, residents were watching the entertainment of fireworks, so hundreds of people crowded on the street.

The first and second fireworks successfully ignited and flew into the air. However, fireworks flew not clear the direction so that the fire mixed with gunpowder smoke emitted from fireworks hurt the people around it.

"At the time of the incident, I was with the family in front of exploded fireworks. The sound so hard and destroyed some parts of the monastery," Arnold said, Thursday (28/7).

Arnold and his two children suffered burns in his face and fingers, while his daughter suffered severe injury in the abdomen and now hospitalized in Rantauparapat hospital.

Labuhanbatu Health Department recorded as many as 24 people injured victims have been evacuated to the local health center, five of them severe injuries now in medical treatment in Rantauprapat hospital.

"Nurses and medical personnel were treating patients wounded by sparks from grains of gunpowder," Head of Health Department Labuhanbatu Alwi Mujahid Hasibuan said.

While Chief of Sei Berombang Police Commissioner Adjutant (AKP) J Sitompul revealed cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

Peak event of jamu laut to be scheduled on Thursday, July 28, 2016 be suspended until the investigation completed.

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