One dead, 71 hurt in Indonesia ammunition depot blast

JAKARTA - One naval serviceman was killed and 71 people were injured on Wednesday when an explosion shattered an Indonesian naval warehouse stocked with light ammunition, the military's spokesman said.

Iskandar Sitompul also said the blast near the capital Jakarta was believed to have followed an electrical short-circuit in the building.

The explosion blew apart the warehouse belonging to an elite naval combat force, spraying victims with shrapnel and pieces of wood and glass.

"Most of them were injured by pieces of wood and glass that pierced them on their cheek, chest and stomach," Sitompul said.

The depot is among naval facilities located on a small island a short distance from Jakarta's shoreline.

Sitompul said one of those injured was a civilian.