A suspected World War II bomb exploded beneath a stilt house in a fishing village in Papua, Indonesia, on Sunday, killing five people and injuring nearly 20 others, officials said.
What happened
The explosion occurred in Indonesia’s Papua region, producing a fireball and thick smoke, destroying nine homes, and causing widespread panic among residents. Papua police spokesman Cahyo Sukarnito said the blast was strongly suspected to have been caused by a bomb or mortar left over from World War II.
At least 19 injured individuals received medical treatment, mostly for minor wounds. Three people remain missing, with some body parts found but not yet identified. Authorities continue to investigate and search for victims.
Why it matters
This incident underscores the persistent threat posed by unexploded ordnance from World War II, particularly in regions that were major conflict zones. The presence of such munitions continues to endanger civilian populations decades after hostilities ended.
Similar accidents have occurred worldwide, including recent explosions and discoveries of abandoned wartime bombs in Europe and Asia, illustrating the global challenge of safely disposing of or neutralizing old explosives.
Background
Indonesia, formerly the Dutch East Indies, was occupied by Japanese forces during World War II and later saw intense fighting as Allied forces sought to regain control. Many explosives were left behind in conflict areas like Papua.
Last year, an unrelated explosion in West Java killed nine civilians when Indonesian troops attempted to dispose of rejected munitions. Other countries, including Germany, Poland, England, and Japan, have also reported incidents involving unexploded WWII bombs in recent years.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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