A suspected World War II–era bomb exploded beneath a stilt house in Biak Numfor Regency, Papua Province, on May 31, killing at least five people and injuring five others. CCTV footage shows a burst of flame and a rising plume of smoke; video and photos reveal severe damage and debris-strewn streets. Authorities reported six houses flattened and said three people remain missing as searches and investigations continue. Police cautioned that casualty and damage figures may change as they gather more information.
WWII-Era Bomb Detonates Under House in Indonesia, Killing At Least Five and Flattening Nearby Homes
WWII-era bomb explodes in Indonesia on May 31Credit: ANTARA News/YouTube
A decades-old explosive device detonated beneath a stilt house in Biak Numfor Regency, Papua Province, Indonesia, on Sunday, May 31, killing at least five people and flattening multiple nearby homes, local authorities said.
The blast occurred on Walter Mongonsidi Street near the shoreline of Biak town. Officials cited by The Jakarta Globe and Antara reported five fatalities and five people hospitalized with injuries; three residents remained unaccounted for as search-and-rescue and investigative operations continued.
CCTV footage published by Antara and Kompas captured the moment of the explosion: a sudden burst of flame followed by a tall plume of smoke rising above the skyline. Video and images from the scene show roofs ripped away, houses reduced to rubble and streets strewn with debris.
Local police believe the ordnance dates to World War II. "The explosion is suspected to have originated from a World War II-era bomb," Papua Police Chief Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito told The Jakarta Globe. Biak Numfor Police Chief Ari Trestiawan made similar comments to Antara.
Authorities reported that six houses close to the detonation point were leveled. Emergency teams evacuated nearby residents, secured the area to prevent further harm and worked to locate the missing. According to officials, searches were scheduled to resume on Monday, June 1.
Police warned that casualty and damage figures could change as they continue to collect data and investigate the scene. "There are casualties, but we are still gathering data," Ari Trestiawan told Kompas in remarks translated from Indonesian. "We are currently on the ground collecting data on casualties and damage from the explosion. We will report this when we have more data."
As of May 31, spokespeople for the Biak Numfor Regency Police and the Indonesian National Police had not immediately responded to requests for comment from other outlets. Local authorities remain on site conducting searches and securing the blast area.
What We Know: A suspected World War II-era bomb detonated beneath a stilt home in Biak town on May 31, killing at least five people, injuring five, destroying multiple houses and leaving three people missing. Investigations and rescue operations are ongoing.
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