Explosions Rip Through School Mosque in Jakarta
At least 54 people, most of them students, sustained injuries after multiple explosions shook a mosque located inside a high school complex in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta. The incident occurred during Friday prayers, sending panic through the congregation.
Panic and Chaos as Blasts Echo During Sermon
Eyewitnesses reported hearing at least two loud blasts around midday, just as the sermon was beginning at the mosque of SMA 27, a state high school situated within a navy compound in North Jakarta's Kelapa Gading area. The powerful explosions caused students and other worshippers to flee in panic as thick gray smoke filled the prayer hall.
City police chief Asep Edi Suheri provided details on the nature of the injuries, stating that most victims were hurt by flying glass shards. The injuries ranged from minor to serious. According to news agency AP, twenty students required continued hospital care, with three of them suffering from severe injuries. Others received treatment and were subsequently discharged.
Police Secure Area and Launch Investigation
Authorities swiftly cordoned off the school complex and began processing the crime scene. Asep confirmed that a bomb squad from the Jakarta police had been deployed to the location to determine the precise cause of the explosions.
To assist concerned families, police have set up help desks in two local hospitals to help relatives locate the injured. "We are still investigating, as this incident just occurred," Asep told reporters, urging the public for patience. "Let the authorities work first. We will convey whatever the results are to the public once the investigation is completed."
Local news channels broadcast footage showing police lines around the school and ambulances on standby. Images shared on social media indicated that the mosque did not sustain significant structural damage, despite the force of the blasts.
