Indonesian authorities are investigating an unusual explosion at a high school mosque in Jakarta that injured dozens and named a 17-year-old student as the primary suspect, while urging the public to refrain from speculation about terrorism.
The blasts occurred inside the mosque at SMA 72 High School in Jakarta, injuring at least 55 people. The national police chief identified a 17-year-old male student from the school as the suspect.
General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Indonesia’s National Police Chief, told reporters that the student was injured in the explosion and is currently undergoing surgery. He emphasized that it was premature to conclude the incident was an act of terrorism.
Witnesses reported hearing two loud explosions and seeing grey smoke emerge from the mosque just minutes before Friday prayers were scheduled to begin. The incident sparked chaos, with many students fleeing to the school field and numerous injured individuals rushed to hospitals.
More than 30 of those injured remain hospitalized at Islam Cempaka Putih Hospital and YARSI Hospital, where an information center has been established for relatives.
While Jakarta rescue units initially suggested a malfunctioning mosque speaker could be the cause, police have not ruled out other possibilities and cautioned the public against premature conclusions.
Deputy Security Minister Lodewijk F. Paulus also warned against hastily labeling the event as terrorism. He clarified that images circulating on social media depicting weapons were, in fact, toy guns found by authorities at the scene.
Authorities reported no severe structural damage to the mosque building itself.
The incident has caused significant distress in Indonesia, a country with a history of attacks on religious and Western targets, though such events rarely occur within mosques.
Police have pledged a thorough investigation into the true cause and motive of the incident. They have also appealed to the public to avoid sharing false information on social media, where the event is being intensely debated.