Forensic police officers collecting evidence after an explosion occurred at a mosque inside a school complex in Jakarta on Nov 7. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
JAKARTA (Reuters/AFP): Indonesian police have found possible explosive powder as they investigated blasts at a mosque in the capital Jakarta.
The suspected perpetrator is recovering, the police chief said on Nov 8.
The explosions during Friday prayers could have been an attack, the official said, with a 17-year-old student the suspected perpetrator.
“Several pieces of supporting evidence were found,” police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo told a press conference after visiting the victims at a hospital.
He said, “There were written materials and some powder that could have potentially caused an explosion.
“We are gathering other records, including examining social media accounts and (talking to) family members to gather all the information.”
According to Listyo, 96 people were wounded in the incident, revising the police’s earlier casualty figure of 54.
Twenty-nine victims remain hospitalised, including at least two in intensive care, he added.
The suspected perpetrator, a student at a school next to the mosque, was recovering after undergoing surgery on Nov 7, Mr Listyo said.
“The suspect’s condition is improving, and hopefully this will make things easier for us when needed,” he said. -- REUTERS, AFP
