Mosque Explosion in Jember Triggers Panic During Tarawih Prayer
Reporter
March 17, 2026 | 08:25 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Residents of Pesona Regency Husing Complex in the Patrang District, Jember Regency, East Java, Indonesia, were shocked by an explosion that occurred in the mosque during the tarawih prayer. The explosion caused panic among the congregation and residents.
"The explosion was quite loud and could be heard in the neighboring village," said the mosque caretaker, Muhammad Fadil, early Tuesday, March 17, 2026, as quoted from Antara.
According to Fadil, the explosion occurred around 7:30 PM local time during the tarawih prayer. It happened near the men's ablution area, causing damage to the ceiling and bookshelves in the mosque. As a result of the explosion, the congregation panicked and rushed outside the mosque.
Fadil mentioned that there were no casualties from the explosion, but one worshipper was taken to the hospital due to hearing impairment. "One person was taken to the Emergency Unit at RSUD dr. Soebandi because of suspected hearing loss," he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Jember Police Commissioner, Angga Riatma, stated that they immediately went to the location after receiving information from the public. "The police immediately secured the location and conducted an investigation into the cause of the explosion," he said early Tuesday.
Angga mentioned that they established a perimeter at the mosque and advised the public not to approach as the Jember Police brought in a bomb disposal unit. "We cannot yet conclude the cause of the explosion and are still processing the crime scene," he added.
The police set up a cordon at the mosque and asked the mosque authorities to temporarily suspend activities in the interest of safety.
The Chief of the East Java Regional Police Inspector General Nanang Avianto arrived at the scene early Tuesday around 3:00 AM local time. Accompanied by the Chief of Jember Police, Senior Commissioner Bobby Adimas Condroputra, they observed the area around the mosque, which was being investigated by the Bomb Squad (Jibom) Gegana of the East Java Regional Police. However, there was no statement from Nanang about the explosion.
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