Over 50 Injured in Jakarta High School Mosque Explosion

Over 50 Injured in Jakarta High School Mosque Explosion

Jakarta, Indonesia A tragic explosion during Friday prayers at a mosque inside a Jakarta high school has left more than 50 people injured. Authorities have identified a 17-year-old student as the suspected perpetrator behind the blast.

   The Incident

The explosion occurred around 12:15 p.m. local time (05:15 GMT) at a state-run high school in Kelapa Gading a district in northern Jakarta. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as smoke filled the school grounds and windows shattered from the blast.

According to BBC Most of the victims were students who had gathered for Friday prayers. Many sustained serious injuries, including burns. The suspected attacker was also among those injured and is currently receiving medical treatment.

    Ongoing Investigation

Indonesia’s police chief, Listyo Sigit Prabowo confirmed that a full investigation is underway to determine how the explosive device was assembled and brought into the school. A bomb disposal team was deployed to secure the area and ensure there were no additional explosives.

Authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses to piece together the sequence of events.

    Eyewitness Accounts

A student who spoke with Antara News Indonesia’s state-owned agency, claimed that the suspect had been frequently bullied at school and may have brought a homemade bomb to the mosque. Other students described the suspect as a quiet loner who often made drawings depicting violence.

A school kitchen worker shared her terrifying experience with Reuters recalling how white smoke filled the mosque right after a “massive blast.”

"Our hearts were beating fast, we couldn’t breathe,” she said.

     Conflicting Reports About Weapons Found

Initial reports suggested that two objects resembling firearms were discovered at the scene one similar to a submachine gun and another resembling a pistol. Images from Antara News showed inscriptions referencing extremist messages, including references to Brenton Tarrant the perpetrator of the 2019 Christchurch mosque attack in New Zealand.

However, government officials later clarified that the objects were toy guns, not real weapons.

Lodewijk Freidrich Paulus a government minister who visited the site, urged the public not to jump to conclusions about terrorism until the investigation is complete.

   Community Response

The shocking incident has left the community reeling. Many are calling for increased attention to student mental health and school safety.

According to jakarta globe Local religious leaders have also urged the public to remain calm and allow authorities to complete their investigation.

Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, has seen sporadic incidents involving explosives in the past. However, attacks within school grounds are extremely rare.

     Authorities Urge Caution

Police and government officials continue to investigate the motive behind the explosion. They have also asked the publicc to avoid spreading misinfrmation or unverified images online.

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As Jakarta recovers from this tragic event, authorities ae focused on ensuring the safety of students and preIventing similar incidents in the future.