A search operation is continuing in Biak Numfor Regency, Papua, after a suspected World War II bomb exploded and killed five people, injured 19 others, and left three residents missing.
The explosion occurred at about 2.45 p.m. local time on Sunday, 31 May 2026, at the Fisheries Complex on Jalan Walter Monginsidi in Fandoi Village, Biak Kota District.
The victims who died were identified as Deflin Raubaba, 41, Moris Raubaba, 24, Karmila Ayorbaba, 25, Israel Raubaba, 7, and Isril Raubaba, 5.
Authorities are still searching for three missing residents: Yulianus Raubaba, 26, Lae Madura, 45, and Abis Marandof, 27.
The blast also damaged nine houses and forced 55 residents to evacuate to safer locations.
A joint search and rescue team resumed operations on Monday, 1 June. The operation involved personnel from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), local residents, and the Papua Regional Police Bomb Disposal Unit.
Search Focuses on Coastal Area
Biak Numfor Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Ari Trestiawan said the search remains focused on areas outside the main blast zone.
“The search is still focused on the outer perimeter, namely the coast, because searching around the crime scene is still considered unsafe,” Ari said on Monday, 1 June, as quoted by Antara.
According to the Papua Regional Police, the Bomb Disposal Unit was deployed to secure the area and support the search operation.
Head of Public Relations for the Papua Regional Police Senior Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito said the joint team discovered body parts believed to belong to the missing victims during the operation.
The remains were taken to Biak Regional Hospital for identification by the police Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team.
The five confirmed victims were scheduled to be buried at Sorido Public Cemetery in Biak Kota District on Monday.
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Police Secure Area Amid Concerns Over Additional Explosives
Police have established a security perimeter around the site while investigators continue to assess the scene.
Ari said officers were searching for any remaining explosives in the area.
“The public is advised not to approach the scene due to concerns about the presence of other bombs,” he said.
The Papua Regional Police deployed 16 personnel from the Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob) Bomb Disposal Unit, led by Adjunct Commissioner Hanasbey, to investigate the incident and secure the location.
During an inspection on Monday evening, the team discovered a live pineapple grenade near the explosion site.
The finding prompted authorities to delay a full forensic examination of the scene until the area could be declared safe.
“Investigators have not yet processed the scene because they are still waiting for the Bomb Squad to clear the area and declare it free of explosives,” Ari said.
Cover: Kompas
