An explosion at a mosque in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, during Friday prayers has left dozens injured, police said, though the cause of the blast remains under investigation.
Dozens Hurt in Mosque Blast
Jakarta city police chief Asep Edi Suheri told reporters that 54 people were taken to hospitals with injuries ranging from minor cuts to serious burns. The explosion occurred at a mosque located inside a school complex in the Kelapa Gading district of North Jakarta.
“We have taken several measures such as investigating the crime scene, setting up a police line and sterilising the area,” Suheri said.
Footage broadcast by KompasTV showed a green-painted mosque with a row of shoes outside and police tape surrounding the building. The exterior appeared largely intact, with no visible signs of structural damage.
Two Explosions Reported, Investigation Ongoing
State news agency Antara quoted Deputy Chief Security Minister Lodewijk Freidrich as saying that two explosions had occurred inside the mosque. Security forces quickly sealed off the area, and heavily armed police officers were seen guarding the iron gates of the complex, while emergency vehicles and armoured police trucks lined the street.
Authorities have not yet determined whether the incident was accidental or deliberate. Investigators are examining the scene to identify the source and nature of the explosions.
Blast in a Sensitive Military Area
The mosque sits within a crowded part of North Jakarta on navy-owned land that houses many active and retired military personnel. The location’s security significance has added urgency to the investigation.
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, has experienced sporadic extremist violence in the past, including attacks on churches and Western targets. However, attacks on mosques are extremely rare, and Islamist militancy has been largely subdued in recent years.
Police said more information would be released once preliminary findings are confirmed.
(with inputs from Reuters)
