Medan Luxury Home Explosion: Sixth Victim Found, Investigation Underway

Medan, Indonesia – Search and rescue operations concluded Tuesday evening with the recovery of the final victim from a devastating explosion that ripped through a luxury home in the Grand Polonia Complex, Medan Polonia District, Medan City. The blast, which occurred Monday afternoon, has claimed a total of six lives. "Thank God, precisely at 6:00 PM today, the sixth and final victim has been evacuated," announced Kombes Pol. Jean Calvijn Simanjuntak, the Head of the Medan City Police, to reporters at the cordoned-off scene. The body was subsequently transported to the RS Bhayangkara Kota Medan for identification and autopsy. Among the deceased are the homeowner's wife, identified only by the initial J, and two female household staff members – a domestic assistant and a babysitter. Their identities are still being formally registered. Three individuals survived the catastrophic event. A two-year-old child, also identified by the initial J, is receiving medical attention. A delivery courier, designated YMH, was reportedly impacted while making a delivery, and the homeowner's father, H, has been reported to be in good health. An intensive investigation is underway, led by a joint task force comprising the police, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and the Forensic Laboratory Center (Puslabfor) of the North Sumatra Regional Police. The explosion, which occurred around 3:30 PM on Monday, has left a significant swathe of the luxury residence in ruins. "We are conducting a thorough assessment at the scene with our TNI colleagues to determine the cause," stated Kombes Pol. Simanjuntak. While initial theories point towards a possible gas leak within the residence, authorities emphasize the need for further evidence collection and witness testimonies to ascertain any negligence. Forensic analysis has revealed significant structural damage consistent with a powerful internal explosion. AKBP Roy Tenno Siburian, Head of the Physics and Computer Division at Labfor Polda Sumut, noted that preliminary findings at the scene, particularly in the kitchen area, indicated the presence of gas. A built-in stove was found dislodged, and a gas terminal was discovered. Gas detection equipment registered concentrations of up to 10% of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) in the kitchen, suggesting a potential detonating agent. The affected residential area is supplied by PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) through an underground pipeline network. PGN Medan Area Head, Agus Kurniawan, confirmed that a technical team was dispatched to secure the site and halt gas supply to the neighborhood as a precautionary measure. Intriguingly, initial gas readings taken by authorities on Monday night on the first and second floors of the property reportedly showed zero ppm for methane gas. PGN has stated that the definitive cause will be determined by the official police investigation. "However, the exact cause of the incident will still await the results of the official investigation by the authorities," Agus added, extending condolences to those affected by the tragedy. The joint forces continue to meticulously examine the site, aiming to establish legal facts and ensure the safety of the infrastructure in the Grand Polonia residential complex.