Explosion at Jember Mosque During Tarawih Prayer
Residents of the Pesona Regency housing complex in Patrang District, Jember Regency, East Java were startled by an explosion at the complex mosque during Tarawih prayers. The blast caused panic among worshippers and residents.
“The explosion was quite loud and was heard in neighbouring villages,” said Mosque Caretaker Muhammad Fadil on Tuesday morning, 17 March 2026, according to Antara news agency.
According to Fadil, the explosion occurred around 19:30 WIB whilst Tarawih prayers were taking place. The blast occurred near the male ablution area and damaged the mosque’s ceiling and bookshelves. As a result of the explosion, worshippers panicked and evacuated the mosque.
Fadil stated that there were no fatalities from the explosion, although one worshipper was taken to hospital for hearing loss. “One person was taken to the emergency unit at RSUD Dr Soebandi hospital due to suspected hearing damage,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit at Jember Police Resort, Assistant Commissioner Angga Riatma, said police immediately proceeded to the location after receiving information from residents. “Police immediately sterilised the location and investigated the cause of the explosion,” he said on Tuesday morning.
Angga stated that police established a perimeter around the mosque and urged residents to keep away as Jember Police deployed a bomb disposal unit. “We have not yet been able to determine the cause of the explosion and are still processing the crime scene,” he said.
Police cordoned off the mosque location and requested mosque authorities to temporarily suspend activities for safety reasons.
The Head of East Java Regional Police, Inspector General Nanang Avianto, arrived at the scene on Tuesday morning around 03:00 WIB. Accompanied by Jember Police Resort Commander Assistant Commissioner Bobby Adimas Condroputra, he monitored the area surrounding the mosque whilst the bomb disposal team (Gegana) from the East Java Regional Police Headquarters conducted their investigation. However, no statement had been issued by Nanang regarding the explosion.