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WWII Bomb Blast in Biak Kills Five, Injures 19; Three Missing
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

WWII Bomb Blast in Biak Kills Five, Injures 19; Three Missing

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A World War II bomb exploded in Biak, Indonesia, killing five people and injuring 19.
  • Three individuals remain missing, and search efforts are ongoing, primarily focused on coastal areas due to safety concerns at the blast site.
  • The explosion damaged nine homes, displacing 55 residents who are now sheltered by the local government.

A devastating explosion of a World War II-era bomb in Biak, Indonesia, has claimed five lives, left 19 people injured, and three others missing. The blast occurred Sunday afternoon in the Perikanan Complex on Jalan Wolter Monginsidi. The Indonesian National Police are currently leading a joint SAR operation to find the three missing residents, identified as Yulianus Raubaba, Lae Madura, and Abis Marandof.

Authorities have deemed the immediate vicinity of the explosion site unsafe, prompting search teams to concentrate their efforts on nearby coastal areas. The five victims of the blast were identified as Deflin Raubaba, Moris Raubaba, Karmila Ayorbaba, Israel Raubaba, and Isril Raubaba. They were buried on Monday amidst the grief of their families and community.

The search is currently concentrated on the outer line, specifically the coast, because searching around the crime scene is still considered unsafe.

— AKBP Ari TrestiawanBiak Numfor Police Chief explaining the ongoing search efforts for missing individuals.

The powerful explosion also caused significant damage, destroying nine homes and affecting 55 individuals from 10 families. These displaced residents are now being housed in temporary shelters provided by the Biak Numfor regional government, highlighting the immediate impact on the local community beyond the tragic loss of life.

As many as 55 people whose homes were damaged are now housed in shelters provided by the Biak Numfor regional government.

— Kombes Cahyo SukarnitoHead of Public Relations for Papua Regional Police detailing the displacement caused by the explosion.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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