Jakarta Mosque Explosion Injures 54 Students and Staff During Friday Prayers at School
Explosion rocks school mosque during Friday prayers in Indonesia.
A powerful explosion shattered Friday prayers at a school mosque in North Jakarta’s Kelapa Gading district today. The blast struck inside State Senior High School 72, located within a naval compound, injuring 54 people—mostly students and staff. Many suffered severe burns to their faces, hands, and lungs as the intense heat flash engulfed the prayer hall during the imam’s sermon.
Over a hundred worshippers, mainly teenagers in uniforms, were kneeling in devotion when the first massive boom erupted from the back of the mosque around 12:30 p.m. Thick smoke quickly filled the space, sparking panic and a desperate rush for exits. Locals reported a second smaller blast shortly after, amplifying the chaos. Screams echoed as bloodied victims stumbled out, some with clothes on fire and skin blistering from the explosion’s fury.
Jakarta Police Chief Asep Edi Suheri confirmed 54 people were rushed to hospitals, with 15 students and five teachers among the injured. Ambulances lined the school entrance as medical teams treated victims on-site before transferring them to burn units. While no one died, several remain in critical condition. The mosque itself showed only minor structural damage—cracked tiles, broken glass, and dark scorch marks.
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Police sealed the area and launched an urgent investigation. Bomb experts found a bulletproof vest, firearms, and remnants of improvised explosives, prompting Densus 88 anti-terror unit involvement. The attack has raised alarms across Indonesia, a nation still scarred by past terror incidents. No group has claimed responsibility yet.
Community leaders condemned the violence as an assault on peace and youth. Schools across Jakarta heightened security, canceling classes and adding checks. As families keep vigil at hospitals, the nation prays for healing while authorities hunt for answers in this shocking midday tragedy.
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