Five killed in suspected WWII bomb explosion in Papua

Five people are reported dead, with three others still missing following an explosion of a suspected WWII-era bomb in Biak Numfor Regency, Papua.

Biak Numfor Police Chief AKBP Ari Trestiawan said the blast occurred at the Fisheries Complex on Walter Mongonsidi Street, Yenures Village, Biak Kota District, at around 2:45 PM WIT on Sunday (31 May). Several houses were damaged in the explosion.

“The bomb is suspected to be a remnant of World War II. We are still investigating,” he told detikcom on Sunday (31 May).

Ari stated that identification work is ongoing at the scene. So far, police have found five bodies.

“The five bodies recovered are from the victims, with three still missing,” he added.

Ari said Brimob personnel have been deployed to the incident site. The crime scene has been cordoned off as it has not yet been declared safe.

“We urge the public to avoid the area for now as the situation remains unsafe to prevent further explosions,” Ari said.