An explosion that rocked the Fisheries Complex on Jalan Walter Monginsidi, Fandoi Village, Biak Kota, Biak Numfor Regency, Papua, on Sunday afternoon, May 31, has been preliminarily linked by authorities to a remnant of a World War II bomb. The incident prompted a swift response from local police, who are now investigating the exact circumstances surrounding the blast in this Biak Numfor area.
According to Biak Numfor Police Chief, AKBP Ari Trestiawan, initial assessments suggest the explosion was caused by an unexploded ordnance from the Second World War. Meanwhile, Kombes Cahyo Sukarnito, Head of Public Relations for the Papua Regional Police, emphasized that the immediate focus is on managing the aftermath and providing support to those affected. “We extend our deepest condolences to the victims’ families,” Cahyo stated. “Currently, our primary focus is on victim handling, the evacuation process, and securing the incident location.” He added that personnel on the ground are working closely with various agencies to ensure all victims are promptly located and receive necessary medical attention.
The devastating blast has resulted in a confirmed death toll of five individuals, with four victims being evacuated to Biak General Hospital and one to Biak Naval Hospital. Furthermore, a grim search operation is currently underway for three other individuals who remain missing following the incident. This ongoing effort highlights the severe impact the explosion has had on the local community, as authorities and emergency services race against time to account for all residents.
Beyond the tragic loss of life, the Biak Numfor explosion also caused significant structural damage, completely destroying six houses situated near the blast site. Witnesses described the event as sudden and incredibly loud, a deafening sound that immediately drew the attention of concerned residents. These brave community members were among the first to offer assistance to the victims, demonstrating remarkable solidarity in the face of adversity.
In response to the dangerous incident, joint security forces have cordoned off and sterilized the area to mitigate any further risks, carefully searching for other potentially hazardous objects. The Papua Regional Police has also issued an appeal to the public, urging residents to remain calm and to exercise caution regarding unverified information circulating about the explosion. This measure aims to prevent panic and ensure the public receives accurate updates.
Kombes Cahyo Sukarnito assured the public that authorities would provide further updates as the victim search operations conclude and the comprehensive investigation into the exact cause of the WWII bomb remnant explosion is finalized. The community awaits these developments as the recovery and investigative efforts continue in Biak Numfor.
Summary
An explosion occurred on Sunday afternoon, May 31, at the Fisheries Complex in Biak, Papua, and authorities preliminarily linked it to a World War II bomb remnant. The devastating blast tragically resulted in five confirmed deaths, with three individuals still missing. Local police are investigating the exact circumstances of the incident.
Beyond the loss of life, the explosion destroyed six houses and caused significant structural damage. Joint security forces have cordoned off and sterilized the area, urging the public to remain calm and await official updates. Authorities are focused on victim handling, evacuation, and securing the site while the comprehensive investigation continues.