Biak Bomb Sterilisation Hampered by Weather, Says Police Chief

Jayapura (ANTARA) - Biak Numfor Police Chief AKBP Ari Trestiawan has stated that the sterilisation of the scene where a bomb exploded in Biak, Papua, resulting in six deaths and leaving three residents reported missing, remains hampered by weather conditions. The weather has affected the sterilisation process carried out by the bomb disposal team from the Papua Regional Police’s Gegana Brimob unit. As a result, the operation is currently only 75 per cent complete. “Sterilisation is hindered by the weather. For instance, today, Friday (5/6), the sea experienced high tide until 3.00 pm local time, preventing the work from being carried out optimally,” said Biak Numfor Police Chief AKBP Ari Trestiawan when contacted by Antara from Jayapura on Friday. The police chief added that the bomb squad would conduct a clean-up around the blast site once the sea water recedes. “Once the area is declared clear, a search will be conducted around the scene, which is categorised as ring 1,” Ari Trestiawan added. The explosion of the World War II-era bomb at a fishing complex on Jalan Wolter Monginsidi, Biak, led to the deaths of six people, while three residents were reported missing. The six victims of the Biak bomb blast were identified as Deflin Raubaba (41), Moris Raubaba (24), Karmila Ayorbaba (25), Israel Raubaba (7), Isril Raubaba (5), and Mina Puadi (51). The three missing residents are Yulianus Raubaba (26), Lae Madura (45), and Abis Marandof (27).