World War II-Era Shell Explodes in Indonesian Village

A suspected World War II shell exploded beneath a stilt house in an Indonesian fishing village, leading to the deaths of five people and injuring nearly 20, according to police reports on Monday. The incident occurred in the eastern Papua region, known for its restive nature.

The explosion startled residents with a loud boom on Sunday afternoon. A ball of flame and thick smoke followed, as seen in footage aired on Kompas TV. The blast destroyed nine homes.

“The source of the explosion is strongly suspected to have been a bomb or mortar left over from World War II,” said Papua police spokesman Cahyo Sukarnito in a statement to AFP.

Three individuals remain missing. Cahyo noted that several body parts are yet to be identified. At least 19 people sustained minor injuries and received treatment.

“We will provide further updates once the search for victims and the investigation have been completed,” Cahyo added.

Similar incidents have occurred in Indonesia. Last year, an explosion in West Java province resulted in the death of nine civilians among 13 casualties when troops attempted to dispose of rejected munitions.

During World War II, Indonesia was a key battle site. Japanese forces occupied the then Dutch East Indies while Allied forces fought to regain control.

Globally, leftover bombs from the war continue to surface. In recent years, explosions have been reported in Germany, Poland, France, England, and Japan. Notably, a World War II bomb exploded in England in 2023 in an unplanned detonation, and another caused a significant disruption at a Japanese airport in 2024, leading to major flight cancellations.

In March, an unexploded bomb was defused in Dresden, Germany, after an evacuation of thousands. The global legacy of these remnants remains a pressing concern.