Indonesian Teacher Faces Negligence Charges After 3D-Printed Science Project Explodes Killing Junior High Student

A science teacher in Siak, Indonesia, faces five years in prison for negligence after a student's 3D-printed rifle exploded during a school demonstration.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 18, 2026, 7:12 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Straits Times

A Tragic Conclusion to a School Science Exhibition

The Sains Tahfiz Islamic Center junior high school in Siak, Riau, became the site of a fatal accident on April 8, 2026, during a practical examination known as the Science Show. A student identified as MAA was presenting a project titled the Musketeer Gun, a functioning rifle he had manufactured using a 3D printer and materials sourced from online marketplaces. During the demonstration on the school field, the device suffered a catastrophic failure upon firing, emitting a loud blast and smoke. Shrapnel from the exploding plastic and iron components struck the student in the forehead, leading to his death at Siak General Hospital despite immediate medical intervention.

Legal Consequences for Instructional Oversight

Siak Police Chief Sepuh Ade Irsyam Siregar announced that the supervising teacher, IP, has been named a suspect under Article 474 Clause 3 of the 2023 Criminal Code. Detectives determined that the educator failed in her fundamental duty to ensure the safety of the students under her charge by permitting the demonstration to proceed. According to the police, the teacher was aware of the nature of the project and the volatile materials involved but did not intervene. If convicted of negligence causing loss of life, IP faces a potential prison sentence of five years or a substantial fine totaling 500 million rupiah.

The Proliferation of Digital Manufacturing in Schools

The investigation revealed that the victim had utilized a Bambulab 3D printer and a personal laptop to construct the firearm, investing approximately 200,000 rupiah from group funds into the project. The student reportedly handled the assembly himself, integrating plastic, iron rods, and chemical substances to create a functional weapon. While the student had assured his peers and teacher that the device was safe, the use of improvised black powder and iron ball projectiles transformed a science project into a lethal improvised explosive. This incident highlights the growing risks associated with accessible high-tech manufacturing tools in unregulated educational settings.