WWII Bomb Explosion in Papua Kills Five, Three Missing
Reporter
June 1, 2026 | 06:57 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chief of Biak Numfor Police, Commissioner Ari Trestiawan, stated that a leftover bomb from World War II exploded near the Biak Fisheries Complex in Papua on Sunday, May 31, 2026, around 14:45 WIT. The explosion killed five civilians and left three people missing.
The incident also damaged four houses near the location. "Currently, the Biak Numfor Police, together with the Papua Regional Mobile Brigade, Biak Numfor Military District Command, the Civil Service Police Unit, and the National Search and Rescue Agency, are still conducting search operations for the victims," said Ari as quoted from Antara on Sunday evening.
Ari mentioned that the bodies of the five victims have been evacuated to the Biak General Hospital. The Biak Police have also set up a police line at the scene to anticipate the possibility of other World War II leftover bombs in the vicinity.
According to Ari, the joint team will continue the search for the three missing victims on Monday, June 1, 2026. The search operation was temporarily halted due to the high tide. "Currently, officers are still maintaining security around the scene," said Ari.
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