Key Points
- The explosion occurred at approximately 12:09 p.m. on Friday, November 7, during the Friday sermon at the mosque inside SMA Negeri 72 in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta.
- A total of 54 victims were hospitalized with injuries ranging from minor cuts to severe burns, with three currently in critical condition.
- The mosque was packed with 100-150 worshippers, including students, teachers, and local residents, when the blast erupted.
- One suspect was detained shortly after the explosion, though their identity and motive have not been disclosed.
- Bomb disposal experts found toy firearms, a remote control, and suspicious items near the scene, prompting terrorism concerns.
- The Indonesian Navy sealed off the Kodamar compound and surrounding streets while forensic teams from the National Police and counterterrorism units examined explosive residue.
Jakarta: The explosion occurred mid-sermon as approximately 100-150 worshippers gathered for Friday prayers at the mosque, which typically serves students, staff, and local community members. Eyewitnesses described hearing two significant detonations emanating from the rear section of the mosque’s main hall, sending panicked worshippers scrambling for safety. Budi Laksono, a mathematics teacher present during the incident, recalled: “The sermon had just started when we heard a loud blast. Within moments, smoke spread, and children ran out, many crying in fear, and some collapsed”.
A 25-year-old resident identified as ER, who lives near the school, described the scene: “It was like a bomb – one loud boom and the ground shook. I ran outside and saw students bleeding, screaming, and running in every direction”. Videos posted online showed ambulances crowding the school’s gate as medics carried victims on stretchers, while police in riot gear sealed off the area.
Medical Response and Casualties
City Police Chief Asep Edi Suheri confirmed at a televised press conference that 54 victims were transported to various medical facilities, including Sumber Waras Hospital and Kelapa Gading Community Health Center. The injuries ranged from minor cuts caused by glass fragments to severe burns, with several patients in critical condition. As of the latest reports, 20 individuals remain hospitalized, with three in critical condition requiring intensive medical monitoring. “We have several patients in critical condition,” Suheri stated, adding that children were among the wounded.
Makeshift triage zones were established near the compound gates to provide immediate medical attention before victims were transported to hospitals. Teams of doctors are providing ongoing treatment and closely monitoring the condition of the injured, particularly those with severe burns.
Investigation and Security Response
The immediate security response was comprehensive and multi-layered. Firefighters initially suspected a malfunction in the mosque’s sound system or loudspeaker, but elite Gegana bomb disposal experts from the Mobile Brigade Corps quickly ruled out simple electrical causes. Jakarta Police spokesperson Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto confirmed that investigators were still determining the exact cause: “We are still examining the scene with the Gegana bomb squad under a special SOP. We must ensure there are no secondary blasts before processing the site”.
Forensic teams from Puslabfor (the National Police’s forensic laboratory) and counterterrorism units from BNPT (National Counter-Terrorism Agency) have been deployed to examine residue and explosive traces. The discovery of suspicious items near the blast site has raised concerns about intentional targeting. According to police reports, investigators found toy firearms, a toy gun, and a remote control in proximity to the mosque. Early reports also mentioned the recovery of parts resembling homemade explosive devices, though authorities continue to examine all possibilities, including electrical short circuits or malfunctioning electronic devices.
Suspect Detained
One suspect was detained shortly after the explosion, though officials have not disclosed their identity, motive, or connection to the incident. The detention occurred as joint police-military teams swept the area for secondary devices, reflecting concerns about coordinated attacks. The Indonesian Navy sealed off the entire Kodamar compound, and traffic in the Kelapa Gading area came to a halt as residents were urged to stay away from the scene.
Community Impact and Response
The explosion has deeply shocked Kelapa Gading, a middle-class district known for its shopping malls, schools, and dense residential blocks. SMA Negeri 72, founded in 1962, is a respected institution with over 1,200 students that emphasizes science and religious education. “This was supposed to be a safe space for children to pray,” said one community elder standing outside the police cordon. “What happened here is an attack on both our youth and our faith”.
Despite the extensive injuries, early visuals showed the mosque’s walls largely intact, suggesting the blast was concentrated and possibly originated from a small explosive device hidden inside. The structural integrity of the building indicates that the explosion was localized rather than widespread.
National Security Context
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation with a population exceeding 270 million, has faced sporadic extremist threats over the past two decades. As evening fell across Jakarta, prayers were held throughout the city for the injured. While President Joko Widodo has yet to issue a formal statement, North Jakarta Mayor Ali Maulana Hakim pledged a thorough investigation and urged calm: “We will not let acts of terror intimidate our communities”.
The administration has appealed to residents to maintain peace and avoid spreading rumors as the investigation continues. Police have sealed off both the site and the mosque as they conduct a comprehensive examination of the evidence. The incident remains under active investigation, with authorities working to determine whether this was an act of terrorism or an accidental explosion.
