Biak Numfor Police Chief confirms WWII-era bomb explosion kills five in Biak

The Biak Numfor Police Force, along with Papua Police Brimob, Biak Numfor Military Command, Satpol PP, and Basarnas, are still searching for victims.

Biak Numfor Police Chief AKBP Ari Trestiawan confirmed that a World War II-era bomb exploded on Sunday (31 May) at approximately 14:45 WIT, killing five people and leaving three others missing.

The explosion at the Biak Fisheries Complex also damaged four houses.

“The Biak Numfor Police Force, along with Papua Police Brimob, Biak Numfor Military Command, Satpol PP, and Basarnas, are still searching for victims,” Biak Numfor Police Chief AKBP Ari Trestiawan told ANTARA on Sunday evening.

The area has been cordoned off to prevent further incidents, as there may still be unexploded WWII ordnance near the crime scene.

Search operations for the three missing individuals will resume on Monday (1 June) due to high tide.

“Officers are currently guarding the scene,” said Biak Numfor Police Chief AKBP Ari Trestiawan.