Explosion at Luxury Home in Medan Leaves 7 Injured or Missing, Search Continues

Search and rescue operations are continuing into Tuesday afternoon for victims of a massive explosion that occurred Monday afternoon in the upscale Grand Polonia residential area in Medan Polonia District, Medan City, North Sumatra. As of now, seven people have been reported as victims. Four individuals have been rescued alive, one has been found deceased, and two remain missing. Hery Marantika, head of the Medan Class A Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas), stated that the four survivors include a 2-year-old named Jeavelin, Hasan, a driver, and an unnamed courier. Meanwhile, Ros, a domestic assistant, and Sinta, a babysitter, are still being searched for, believed to be trapped under the building's debris. Jesika, the wife of the homeowner, was found dead, buried under the collapsed structure. Hery confirmed that the joint SAR team is racing against time to find the two missing victims, emphasizing their commitment to maximizing efforts while prioritizing the safety of all personnel on the ground. Intensive searches are currently underway using methods adapted to the rubble conditions. Three excavators and one crane are assisting to clear access to the search points. The powerful blast occurred at house number 3B in the Grand Polonia housing complex on Monday, July 20, 2026, around 3:30 PM Western Indonesian Time (WIB). The three-story house suffered severe damage, with a significant portion of its structure collapsing. Beyond the epicenter, three adjacent houses were also damaged by the force of the explosion. The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation by the police and relevant teams. However, initial findings suggest a potential gas leak from underground pipeline networks in the area. Source: CNN Indonesia