A terrifying explosion from an old World War II bomb tore through a residential neighborhood in Indonesia, killing at least five people and leaving three others missing.

The blast happened in Biak Kota District, Biak Numfor, Papua, where authorities say an active wartime bomb suddenly erupted in a massive fireball.

The explosion sent flames more than 20 feet into the air as thick black smoke poured over the neighborhood. Several buildings were destroyed, and shocked residents were seen rushing through the wreckage as rescue crews searched for victims.

Police said five bodies have already been recovered from the scene. Three other people remain missing, and the search is expected to continue Monday.

Video from the area showed the horror of the aftermath, including residents pulling the limp body of a young boy from the debris. Surveillance cameras near Biak Port reportedly captured the moment the bomb exploded, showing a huge burst of fire followed by a mushroom-shaped cloud rising into the sky.

The shock wave blasted debris from nearby buildings and tore through the crowded neighborhood, leaving behind a scene of destruction.

Biak Numfor Police Chief Ari Trestiawan told local outlet Antara that investigators are still working to determine exactly what caused the old bomb to detonate.

The area has been sealed off by police and security forces while emergency teams continue their search.

Police from Biak Numfor and members of the Papua Regional Police Mobile Brigade were sent to the scene. The military, Civil Service Police, and search-and-rescue teams also joined the operation as officials worked to evacuate the area and make sure no other explosives remained.

The Indonesian military offered condolences to the families of the victims as crews continued looking for the missing.

“We express our deepest condolences to the victims’ families,” the military said in a statement.

“Our primary focus now is the evacuation process, the search for any missing victims, and ensuring the location is completely safe.”

The blast has shaken the community and raised fresh fears about unexploded wartime bombs still buried or hidden decades after World War II ended.

For families in Biak Numfor, the danger was not part of the past. It exploded in the middle of daily life.