WWII-Era Explosive Blast Kills Five in Indonesia’s Papua Region

June 2026 | By Azad News

At least five people have been killed and nearly two dozen injured after a suspected World War II-era explosive detonated beneath a stilt house in a fishing village in Indonesia, police confirmed.

The explosion occurred in the eastern Papua region, where residents reported a powerful blast followed by flames and a large plume of smoke that destroyed multiple homes in the area.

Authorities said the device is believed to be an old bomb or mortar shell dating back to World War II, left behind from historical military activity in the region.

According to police spokesperson Cahyo Sukarnito, at least three people remain missing, while search and recovery operations are ongoing to identify additional victims.

Emergency teams have treated around 19 injured individuals, most of whom sustained minor wounds, while nine homes were completely destroyed in the blast.

Officials said investigations are continuing to determine the exact origin of the explosive and how it remained undetected for decades in a populated residential area.

Indonesia, which was a major battlefield during World War II, still occasionally encounters unexploded ordnance left from historical conflicts involving Japanese and Allied forces.

Similar incidents have occurred in the past, raising concerns about the long-term risks posed by abandoned wartime munitions in rural and coastal regions.

Conclusion

The tragic explosion in Indonesia highlights the ongoing danger of unexploded wartime ordnance in civilian areas, particularly in regions with a history of intense World War II battles.

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