5 killed, 3 missing in WWII bomb explosion in Indonesia

Five people were killed and three others went missing after a bomb exploded in Indonesia's eastern Papua province on Sunday, local police said, reported Xinhua.

The blast occurred in the afternoon in a densely populated village, causing severe damage to nearby homes, the police told local media.

The search operations for the missing were suspended overnight due to concerns over possible unexploded ordnance at the site, police added.

A leftover World War II bomb caused the explosion. Authorities have cordoned off the area and warned residents to stay away until it is declared safe. Search and recovery efforts are expected to resume on Monday.

Japan invaded Indonesia in early 1942, causing immense destruction during its occupation that lasted over three years. Significant quantities of wartime explosives still linger as a safety hazard in various parts of the Southeast Asian country.