Suspected World War II Bomb Explosion Kills Five in Indonesia’s Papua Region

A suspected World War II bomb exploded beneath a stilt house in a fishing village in Indonesia’s eastern Papua region, killing five people and injuring nearly 20 others, police said on Monday.

The explosion occurred on Sunday afternoon and sent shockwaves through the community. Witnesses reported hearing a loud blast before seeing flames and a thick column of smoke rise into the air. Video footage broadcast by local media showed the scale of the destruction.

Authorities said the blast destroyed nine homes and left several residents injured.

Police Investigate Source of Explosion

Papua police spokesperson Cahyo Sukarnito said investigators believe the explosion was likely caused by a bomb or mortar left behind from World War II.

“The source of the explosion is strongly suspected to have been a bomb or mortar left over from World War II,” he said.

Emergency teams responded quickly to the scene. Officials confirmed that five people died in the blast, while at least 19 others received treatment for minor injuries.

Three people remain missing. Authorities said identification efforts continue because several body parts recovered from the scene have not yet been identified.

“We will provide further updates once the search for victims and the investigation have been completed,” Cahyo added.

Homes Destroyed and Community Shaken

The powerful explosion damaged a large section of the village. Nine houses were completely destroyed, leaving several families displaced.

Residents described scenes of panic as people rushed to help victims and search through debris following the blast.

Local authorities are continuing search and recovery operations while investigators examine the site to confirm the exact cause of the explosion.

World War II Legacy Still Creates Risks

Indonesia was a major battlefield during World War II. Japanese forces occupied the territory, then known as the Dutch East Indies, before Allied forces launched campaigns to regain control.

As a result, unexploded bombs, shells, and other military explosives remain buried in some areas decades after the war ended.

Experts warn that aging wartime munitions can remain dangerous and may detonate if disturbed.

Similar Incidents Reported Worldwide

Old wartime explosives continue to be discovered around the world.

In March, authorities safely defused an unexploded World War II bomb in the German city of Dresden after evacuating thousands of residents.

In October last year, two men in Poland were hospitalized after a World War II artillery shell exploded inside a home.

Earlier in 2025, a World War II bomb was discovered near railway tracks at Paris’ Gare du Nord station. The month before, authorities found more than 170 bombs near a children’s playground in northern England.

In Japan, an unexploded US bomb from World War II detonated at an airport in 2024, creating a large crater and forcing the cancellation of more than 80 flights.

Authorities around the world continue to remove unexploded wartime devices as they are discovered, highlighting the long-lasting dangers of conflicts that ended decades ago.