Multiple Explosions at Jakarta School Mosque Injure Over 50 People, Student Suspect Under Investigation

Approximately 54 individuals sustained injuries, with 33 people "currently still under medical care" (Representational).

On Friday, dual explosions at a school mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, left at least 50 people injured, according to authorities who have implicated a student in the incident.

The blasts occurred around 12:15 pm local time (0515 GMT) at a high school in North Jakarta, triggering panic among the student body.

"The school immediately descended into chaos, with everyone fleeing to the field," 16-year-old Muhammad Rizky Muzaffar told AFP.

"Many students were injured, and numerous victims were transported directly to hospitals," he added, noting that the explosion happened just before Friday prayers were scheduled to begin at the school mosque.

Jakarta police spokesman Budi Hermanto reported that approximately 54 people were injured, with 33 individuals "currently still under medical care".

National police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo confirmed that the suspect is a student who was injured and undergoing surgical treatment.

"Regarding potential motives, we are currently investigating various sources of information," Listyo stated during a news conference.

Lodewijk Freidrich Paulus, deputy coordinating minister of politics and security, urged the public to avoid premature conclusions.

"Don't jump to the conclusion that this is a terrorist act," Lodewijk was quoted by the Antara state news agency, emphasizing that an investigation was underway.

He explained that the explosions occurred at the rear of the mosque on the school campus and near its entrance.

Investigators, including bomb squad technicians, were processing the scene on school grounds, and an AFP journalist observed plastic evidence bags placed on prayer rugs.

Kinza Ghaisan Rayyan, a 17-year-old student, told AFP there was initial confusion about the source of the blasts.

"Initially we thought it originated from electronic equipment, possibly the sound system...but we discovered the explosion came from beneath the prayer mat," he recounted at a Jakarta hospital.

Jakarta police chief Asep Edi Suheri confirmed that authorities had established posts at two hospitals to assist families in locating their relatives.

Ferdi Ibrahim, brother of a student, said he "immediately panicked" upon learning about the explosions.

"Eventually, I received a call from my sibling's teacher informing me they had already been taken to the hospital's emergency room," the 30-year-old stated.