World War II Bomb Explosion in Biak: 5 Dead, 19 Injured, 3 Missing

A World War II-era bomb detonated at a fishing complex on Jalan Wolter Monginsidi in Biak on Sunday, 31 May at approximately 14:45 WIT (Western Indonesia Time).

Five people were killed and 19 injured in the incident, whilst three others were reported missing.

Biak Numfor Police Chief AKBP Ari Trestiawan stated that a combined search and rescue team is continuing efforts to locate three Biak residents reported missing: Yulianus Raubaba (26), Lae Madura (45), and Abis Marandof (27).

“Search operations are currently focused on the outer perimeter, specifically in the coastal area, as the area around the incident site is still deemed unsafe for search activities,” Ari said on Monday, 1 June.

According to him, the immediate vicinity of the blast site remains unsafe, necessitating searches concentrated in the surrounding coastal region.

The five victims’ bodies were buried on Monday at the Inggiri Cemetery in Biak, accompanied by mourning family members and residents.

Papua Police Spokesperson Kombes Cahyo Sukarnito identified the five bomb victims as: Deflin Raubaba (41 years old), Moris Raubaba (24 years old), Karmila Ayorbaba (25 years old), Israel Raubaba (7 years old), and Isril Raubaba (5 years old).

The incident also resulted in nine houses being damaged, housing 10 family heads with a total population of 55 people.

According to reports, 55 people whose homes were damaged are currently displaced and being accommodated at shelters provided by the Biak Numfor Regional Government.

“Indeed, all 55 people reported displaced are currently being housed at shelters provided by the local government,” said Cahyo Sukarnito.