Indonesian authorities are investigating explosions at a mosque in Jakarta that injured dozens of people during Friday prayers, and officials suggest the explosions may have been a deliberate attack.
According to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, a 17-year-old boy has been identified as the alleged perpetrator and was reportedly undergoing surgery.
According to Reuters, police said 55 people were hospitalized with injuries ranging from burns to trauma following multiple explosions at a mosque located inside a school complex in the Kelapa Gading area of the capital.
“The explosion was strong, so strong that I couldn’t breathe because I was in shock,” said Luciana, 43, who was working in the school cafeteria at the time.
“I thought it was a short circuit or the sound system had exploded. We were so scared we ran away.”
At a news conference, Jakarta police chief Asep Edi Suheri said a full investigation had been launched.
“We have taken several measures such as investigating the crime scene, establishing a police line and sterilizing the area,” Suheri said.
State news agency Antara quoted Deputy Security Minister Lodewijk Freidrich confirming two explosions, while footage from KompasTV showed the mosque’s green exterior cordoned off with police tape, with shoes lined up outside but no visible structural damage.
Heavily armed police officers guarded the complex’s gates while armored and emergency vehicles surrounded the area.
The complex is located in north Jakarta, on land largely owned by the Indonesian Navy, home to numerous retired military and officers.
Although Indonesia has a history of militant attacks on churches and Western targets, such incidents at mosques are rare as Islamist extremism has been largely suppressed in recent years.
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