A suspected World War II-era bomb has detonated in an Indonesian village, leaving at least five people dead.
The explosion happened on Sunday afternoon (May 31) in Biak Numfor Regency, in Papua.
Reports say the munition was discovered beneath a stilted house close to the shoreline on Walter Mongonsidi Street, and the blast went on to damage nine nearby homes.
By Sunday evening, officials said their immediate priority was evacuating people from the area while investigators worked to determine what triggered the explosion.
Papua Police spokesperson Chief Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito described what is known so far.
“The explosion is suspected to have originated from a World War II-era bomb. The investigation is still ongoing.”
He said efforts were centred on victims and securing the scene.
“Our main focus at the moment is on handling the victims, the evacuation process, and securing the incident location.”
The spokesperson added that teams were also working with other agencies to find anyone affected and deliver support.
“Personnel on the ground are also continuing to coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure that all victims can be promptly located and receive the necessary assistance,” Sukarnito continued.
Alongside the five fatalities, roughly 20 people were reported injured.
One witness claimed the device detonated after residents interfered with it and attempted to prise it open.
“The bomb reportedly exploded because it was intentionally opened to remove the powder inside. When it was being dismantled, it detonated.”
That account has not been independently confirmed at the time of writing.
Footage circulating after the incident shows severe damage across the area, with multiple homes appearing badly affected.
Separate CCTV video also captured the moment of the blast, showing a fireball shooting upward.
Incidents involving old, unexploded ordnance are not uncommon. In 2024, for example, a WWII-era bomb detonated beneath a runway at a Japanese airport.
That incident, involving a 500lb US bomb at Miyazaki Airport, ripped up part of the runway and forced the cancellation of dozens of flights.
No one was hurt in that explosion, and no aircraft were on the runway at the exact location at the time—though one plane had been nearby only minutes earlier, according to reports.
It also wasn’t the first discovery of US bombs at Miyazaki Airport, with other devices previously found there in 2021 and 2011.