At least 54 people - including schoolchildren, teachers, and worshippers - were injured after a powerful explosion tore through a mosque inside a school complex in North Jakarta on Friday afternoon. The blast occurred during Friday prayers within a Navy compound in the Kelapa Gading area, sending shockwaves through the surrounding neighbourhood.

❗️Explosion Rocks Mosque Inside Jakarta School ComplexAt least 54 people, including children and teachers, were injured after an explosion tore through a mosque inside a school complex in North Jakarta during Friday prayers, according to police blast occurred within a... twitter/uu1kmbY0e6

- RT_India (@RT_India_news) November 7, 2025

Indonesia explosion at SMA Negeri 72 Kelapa Gading during Friday prayers injured at least 8-10 students. Authorities report 2 blasts from the mosque area, with a homemade weapon inscribed "Welcome to Hell" found nearby, investigations probing a possible student's involvement. twitter/ZxUpl2FUiR

- (((Bharat)))️ (@Topi1465795) November 7, 2025

'Welcome to HELL': Horror Unfolds During Prayers

Witnesses described scenes of utter panic as the sound of the explosion echoed through the school grounds.“It felt like the entire building lifted off the ground,” said a local resident who lives nearby. Smoke billowed from the mosque, and terrified students ran for cover as emergency alarms went off.

Sekurang-kurangnya 54 cedera apabila letupan menggegarkan sebuah masjid di sebuah sekolah di Jakarta, Indonesia petang tadi.: Video Awam#digitalbernamatv#masjid#letupan#sekolah#jakarta#indonesia twitter/ozA9Hc1fcQ

- BERNAMA TV (@BernamaTV) November 7, 2025

According to reports, school-shooting–styled firearms, Molotov cocktails, and body vests were recovered from the scene. Authorities are said to be still determining whether these items were connected to the explosion or planted afterward.

The phrase“Welcome to HELL” was reportedly found scrawled on one of the guns, intensifying the fear that the blast may have been deliberate. However, police have not yet confirmed this detail publicly.

❗️'Welcome to HELL' - At least 54 injured as EXPLOSION rips through Mosque inside school complex in Indonesia's Jakarta School-shooting styled firearms, Molotov cocktails and body vests found at the scene twitter/EdD35ISD3m

- RT (@RT_com) November 7, 2025

Chaos in the Capital

Ambulances and police vehicles swarmed the Navy compound as first responders rushed victims to nearby hospitals. Many of the injured suffered burns and lacerations, while others were treated for smoke inhalation or shock.

“The initial data we have received indicates that there are approximately 54 individuals affected,” Jakarta police chief Asep Edi Suheri told reporters in comments broadcast by Kompas TV.“Some have minor injuries, some moderate, and some have already been discharged.”

Police Seal Off Area, Bomb Squad Deployed

Jakarta police quickly cordoned off the area and deployed a bomb disposal unit to comb through the debris. Officers were seen collecting fragments and securing the mosque compound as part of their investigation.

“We are still investigating, as this incident just occurred,” Suheri said, adding that authorities were“processing the crime scene.”

Support for Families and Victims

Authorities set up posts in two hospitals to help relatives locate injured victims.“Authorities had also set up posts in two hospitals to assist relatives in finding injured victims,” Suheri confirmed.

Locals gathered outside the compound, waiting for updates as rescue teams continued their work. For many, Friday's incident stirred painful memories of past attacks that have struck Indonesia over the years.

(With inputs from AFP)

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