Devastating explosion at school mosque
On Friday, November 7, 2025, two explosions occurred in the afternoon during the Friday sermon at a mosque located inside SMA Negeri 72 Jakarta (State High School 72), a school complex situated within a navy compound in the Kelapa Gading district of North Jakarta. The blasts injured at least 54 people, mostly students. Witnesses described a sudden, loud detonation just as the prayer session began; gray smoke and flying debris triggered panic as worshippers rushed for safety.
Who was injured and what were their injuries?
Police confirmed that about 54 victims were hospitalised across two major hospitals in Jakarta, with injuries ranging from burns and hearing loss to wounds caused by shattered glass and flying objects. Many victims were students who had just entered the mosque for prayers.
Jakarta Police spokesperson Budi Hermanto said approximately 33 students remained hospitalised, including some in serious condition.
Suspect identified, investigation underway
Authorities announced that a 17‑year‑old male student from the same school had been identified as the main suspect. He sustained injuries in the blast and is currently undergoing surgery.
During searches, police found a toy sub‑machine gun with inscriptions bearing white‑supremacist slogans, including references to the 2019 Christchurch mosque attack. Experts and authorities are investigating whether the blasts were intentional or random.
Cause and motive remain unclear
While investigators discovered possible explosive powder near the scene, officials caution that it is too early to classify the incident as a terror attack. National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo emphasised that “there is nothing to conclude yet regarding terrorist intent”, while the investigation continues.
Police are also exploring potential bullying or revenge motives, noting the suspect was reportedly bullied, and that the setting (a school mosque) might indicate a personal rather than ideological attack.
Response and safety measures
The site of the explosion was rapidly secured by the police’s bomb squad and anti‑terror unit; the school was temporarily locked down and all classes suspended for the day. Emergency medical teams were mobilised at two nearby hospitals to handle the influx of wounded students.
In a joint statement, the Jakarta education authorities said they would review and strengthen security protocols at school religious facilities and conduct trauma‑support sessions for students and staff.
Why this incident matters
- Attacks of this nature inside a school mosque are rare in Indonesia, a country which has experienced Islamist militant incidents but not frequently within school religious settings.
- The fact that the blasts occurred during Friday prayers — an inherently communal moment — raises concerns about vulnerability in places of worship, even within educational institutions.
- The incident may prompt a wider discussion about school safety, student mental‑health support, and prevention of extreme acts by minors.
What to watch next
- The final police findings regarding motive, explosive mechanism and whether any broader network or ideology was involved.
- Whether the suspect will face juvenile justice or adult criminal proceedings, given his age and the nature of the attack.
- How the schools’ religious and security infrastructure will be audited and potentially redesigned to prevent similar incidents.
- The condition and recovery of the injured, and whether long‑term care or compensation programmes will be established for victims.
The takeaway
The explosion at the school mosque in Jakarta has left more than 50 people injured and the community shaken. Though the motives remain unclear and terror links unconfirmed, the gravity of the incident — involving students during prayers in a school environment — underlines the urgent need for vigilance, stronger protective measures in religious‑education settings, and support for young people at risk of violent acts.
