Foreign media spotlight WWII bomb explosion in Indonesia’s Papua

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Foreign media have highlighted a massive explosion at the Fishery Complex in Fandoi Village, Biak Kota District, Papua, on Sunday at 14:45 WIT (12:45 WIB). The blast is suspected to have originated from a World War II-era bomb.

French news agency AFP is among those covering the incident, with the headline “Suspected World War II ordnance explodes in Indonesia, five dead”. The report describes how an object believed to be a WWII-era shell exploded beneath a stilted house in an Indonesian fishing village, killing five people and injuring nearly 20.

“The explosion in Indonesia’s eastern Papua, a conflict-prone region, startled locals with a loud blast on Sunday afternoon, sending a fireball followed by a thick column of smoke. Nine houses were destroyed,” the outlet reported, citing Monday, 1 June 2026.

“The blast is believed to have originated from a World War II-era bomb or mortar,” added Papua Police spokesperson Cahyo Sukarnito.

Three people are still reported missing, with at least 19 others receiving treatment for minor injuries.

The outlet also referenced a similar incident in West Java last year, where 13 people died when Indonesian military personnel attempted to dispose of unused ammunition by detonating it in a pit.

“Indonesia was a major battleground during World War II when Japanese forces occupied the then Dutch East Indies, and Allied troops fought to regain control,” the report added.

Previously, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) stated via its official Instagram account @sar_nasional and Biak Class A Search and Rescue Office that the explosion likely originated from beneath the stilted house owned by resident Yulianus Raubaba.

“Locals reported the explosion was extremely loud, with vibrations felt several kilometres from the site. Building materials and hard objects were propelled into the air due to the blast’s force,” Basarnas stated in its post.

The explosion occurred suddenly, collapsing surrounding structures at the Fishery Complex. Locals immediately assisted the injured before security personnel and rescue teams arrived to evacuate and secure the area.