JAKARTA, Indonesia – A powerful blast shook a mosque located inside a school complex in North Jakarta during Friday prayers, injuring at least 54 people, according to police officials. The incident, which occurred around midday in the Kelapa Gading area, has prompted a major security and forensic investigation as authorities work to determine the cause.
City police chief Asep Edi Suheri confirmed the casualty figures, stating that the injured have been admitted to local hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to serious, including burns and wounds from glass fragments. No fatalities have been reported so far.
The Incident
The explosion occurred within the mosque situated on the grounds of a naval compound school complex. Witnesses reported hearing multiple loud blasts just as the Friday sermon was commencing, causing panic among the dozens of worshippers, many of whom are believed to be students and personnel associated with the compound.
Images from the scene show armed police and military personnel quickly cordoning off the area. While initial reports suggest the mosque building did not sustain extensive structural damage, the shockwave and debris caused injuries to those inside.
Cause Remains Unknown
The Jakarta Metropolitan Police have deployed bomb disposal and anti-terror units, including the elite Special Detachment (Densus 88), to the site to conduct a thorough investigation.
Police chief Suheri stated that the cause of the explosion is still under investigation, and authorities are not yet ruling out any possibilities. Early, unofficial speculation suggests the blast may have been caused by an electrical short circuit or a malfunctioning electronic device, potentially a loudspeaker near the rear section of the main hall.
However, forensic experts are meticulously examining all evidence, which reportedly includes the discovery of suspicious objects like toy rifles and a toy gun found near the mosque, though their connection to the blast remains unconfirmed.
The police have urged the public to refrain from speculation until the official investigation is concluded. Authorities have set up information posts at nearby hospitals to assist relatives of the injured.
The incident is a stark reminder of Indonesia’s security challenges, though the focus is currently on determining whether the cause was technical, accidental, or linked to a malicious act.
