In a tragic incident highlighting the dangers posed by past conflicts, at least five people were killed and about 20 others injured in a fishing village in Papua province, eastern Indonesia, when a World War II-era bomb exploded. Local police announced on Monday that the powerful blast, which occurred Sunday afternoon, also destroyed nine houses, causing widespread devastation and panic among residents.
Details of a World War II bomb explosion
A powerful explosion occurred beneath a house in the village, sending up a fireball and a thick plume of smoke visible from a distance, according to footage broadcast by local media. A police spokesperson said initial investigations strongly suggest that the explosion was caused by a World War II-era bomb. Search and rescue operations are ongoing for three people still missing, while 19 injured individuals have been taken to hospitals for treatment of injuries of varying severity. Authorities are working to secure the site, identify the victims, and provide support to affected families.
Ghosts of the past: The legacy of Indonesia's bloody war
This incident brings to mind Indonesia's turbulent history during World War II. The country, then known as the Dutch East Indies, was the scene of fierce fighting between Japanese and Allied forces after its invasion by Japan in 1942. New Guinea, where Papua province is located, was a major battlefront, witnessing large-scale military campaigns. As a result, thousands of tons of unexploded ordnance and bombs remain buried throughout the Indonesian archipelago, ranging from aerial bombs and sea mines to artillery shells.
A latent danger threatens the lives of civilians
These remnants of war pose a constant threat to civilian lives, particularly in rural and remote areas where farmers, fishermen, or construction workers may accidentally unearth them. Often unstable, these old munitions can explode at the slightest movement or friction, leading to fatal accidents like the one in Papua. Like other war-torn countries in the region, the Indonesian government faces the significant challenge of locating and safely removing these explosives—a task requiring substantial resources, specialized technical expertise, and considerable time to ensure the safety of local communities.
