Two powerful explosions rocked a school mosque in North Jakarta on Friday, injuring more than 50 people, mostly students. The blasts occurred around 12:15 p.m. local time, just before Friday prayers, causing panic on the campus.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as students ran for safety. “Everyone ran outside to the field,” said 16-year-old Muhammad Rizky Muzaffar. “Many were hurt and taken to hospitals.”
Jakarta police confirmed 54 people were injured, with 33 still receiving treatment. Authorities said a student suspect was also hurt and undergoing surgery. Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo stated that investigators are examining several possible motives.
Deputy security minister Lodewijk Freidrich Paulus urged the public not to assume terrorism was involved. “Don’t jump to conclusions,” he told reporters, noting that the blasts occurred near the mosque’s door.
Bomb squad teams collected evidence from the site, including materials found under prayer mats. Students initially thought a sound system had exploded before realizing it was a bomb.
Police have set up help desks at two hospitals for families searching for relatives. Investigations are ongoing as Jakarta remains on alert.
