Undefined Explosive Device (UED) event in Australia on Fri 13th February 2026

A suspected homemade explosive device has been detonated on an oval in Canberra’s west.

Members of the public reported an explosion from the direction of Holder Oval at about 5am on Thursday, police say.A suspicious item was then discovered on the oval by a member of the public shortly before 10am.

“Police attended the location and set up a cordon after assessing the item as a possible homemade explosive device,” ACT Police said in a statement.“Specialists from the AFP bomb team attended to examine the item and confirm it was safe to handle.”The item – reported to have been about 15cm in length – was confirmed to not be dangerous and was seized by forensic specialists for further investigation.

Detective Inspector Donna Hoffmeier told the ABC that investigators believed the device was homemade. She did not rule out a link between the incident and reports of other explosive devices found in the nation's capital in recent weeks.“There is nothing funny about leaving explosive devices in public where they can hurt others,” she said.“It may be a prank and it could still hurt someone at this stage. We’re treating it really seriously.

”Police are appealing to anyone who noticed suspicious activity near Holder Oval at about 5am on Thursday, or may otherwise have information about the device, to contact Crime Stoppers.