An explosion during Friday prayers at a mosque in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, injured dozens of people, authorities confirmed, as police launched an investigation into the cause of the incident.
Jakarta city police chief Asep Edi Suheri told reporters that 54 people had been taken to hospitals with injuries ranging from minor wounds to severe burns. The blast occurred at a mosque located inside a school complex in the Kelapa Gading area of North Jakarta.
Suheri said investigators had begun examining the site, securing the area with police tape and conducting initial forensic assessments. Footage aired by KompasTV showed the green-painted mosque cordoned off, with a line of shoes left outside, but no visible structural damage to the exterior.
State news agency Antara reported comments from Deputy Chief Security Minister Lodewijk Freidrich, who said there were two explosions at the mosque, though details were still emerging.
Security around the complex was tightened as black-clad police officers carrying assault rifles guarded the entrance gates. Emergency and armoured police vehicles were also stationed outside, according to a Reuters journalist on the scene.
The mosque is situated in a densely populated part of North Jakarta, on navy-owned land that houses many serving military personnel and retired officers.
Officials have not yet determined whether the explosion was accidental or deliberate. While Indonesia has experienced militant attacks in the past, they have typically targeted churches or Western locations rather than mosques. Islamist militancy has also been significantly curbed in recent years, leaving authorities cautious about drawing premature conclusions.
As investigators comb the site for clues, authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation until more information is confirmed. The incident has prompted heightened security measures in the area as emergency response teams continue to assess the situation and assist the injured.
