13 February 2026

Police call for witnesses after explosion reports at Holder Oval

| By Claire Sams
A photo of the alleged device from the top

Police allege an explosive device detonated on a Canberra oval on Thursday morning (12 February). Photos: ACT Policing.

Police have called for witnesses after residents reported an early-morning explosion at a Canberra oval.

An ACT Policing spokesperson said that at about 5 am yesterday (12 February), multiple members of the public reported an explosion from the direction of the Holder Oval.

Later that morning, at about 9:45 am, a member of the public discovered what police called a “suspicious item” on Holder Oval.

A photo of the alleged device from the side

The item was assessed by specialist officers.

Multiple officers arrived at the oval, setting up a cordon after assessing the item as a possible homemade explosive.

Specialists from the AFP Bomb Team were called to the scene to examine the item and confirm whether it was safe to handle.

“Soon after, the item was confirmed to not be dangerous,” police say.

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Forensic specialists also came and seized the item for further investigation.

The spokesperson is asking anyone who noticed suspicious activity near Holder Oval around 5 am yesterday, or who has information about this device, to contact Crime Stoppers ACT. Quote 8301573. Information can be provided anonymously.

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