10 killed in two incidents in Ambon

AMBON, Maluku (JP): At least 10 people were killed in two separate incidents in Ambon on Wednesday, an official and reports say.

The latest incident took place around 8 a.m. local time Wednesday when an assembled bomb, fastened under the seat of a motorcycle, exploded in Slamet Riyadi Port in Ambon, killing three people instantly.

Ambon Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Hasanuddin said from Ambon by phone that the driver and the passenger of the motorcycle died instantly when the bomb exploded.

"Since the alleged suspects (the two motorists) died in the blast, we're having problems probing the case," Hasanuddin said, adding that the motorists' bodies were beyond recognition.

A 50-year-old woman who was on a public minivan in the vicinity of the explosion also died after being hit by shrapnel.

The bomb exploded right after the motorbike overtook the public minivan.

The explosion also damaged the public minivan. The minivan driver and conductor were both injured. Six other people were also injured. All victims were rushed to nearby Al Fatah Hospital in Ambon.

Meanwhile, a speedboat carrying some 30 passengers capsized due to bad weather in the waters off Batu Kapal on Haruku island of Central Maluku regency on Wednesday morning, killing at least seven people at 7:40 a.m. local time.

Four other passengers are still missing. Nineteen passengers were rescued by a passing speedboat and a rescue team from the civil emergency authorities.

The speedboat was on its way to Passo on Ambon island from Haria on Saparua island when it hit rough seas and stormy weather.

According to Antara news agency, six fatalities were identified as Merry Riuwpassa, Ibu Raja Titaley, Agus Sapulette, Ite Tamaela, Lenny Latupeirissa and Theis Sohilait. One body was unidentified and has been sent to Oma village in Haruku island.

The four missing were reportedly identified as Notje Tuarissa, Selly Tuarissa, G. Soumokil and Frentho Limahelu, the news agency added.

As of Wednesday afternoon locals and authorities stepped up the search for the missing passengers using speedboat and Ketinting vessels, but due to strong winds the search was suspended and will resume on Thursday. (49/edt)