Ambon death toll rises to seven

AMBON, Maluku (JP): The death toll from Monday's clash in Auhuru subdistrict here rose to at least seven after two more people died of their injuries and another body was discovered on Tuesday.

Staff members at the private Dr. Haulissy Hospital identified the two victims as Samuel Loupatty, 30, and Latuholan, 36. Police also discovered the body of Yordan, 30, in Batu Merah subdistrict earlier in the day.

Police said Yordan was killed near the unofficial demarcation line between the warring Christian and Muslim communities.

Scores of houses and shops were burned and damaged during the clash on Monday morning, which saw at least 33 people seriously injured and 22 others slightly wounded.

Meanwhile, Pattimura University deputy rector J. Louhenabessi said the whereabouts of postgraduate student Joyce Dangebun remained unknown. Joyce, a native of Ambon who studies in Canada, is visiting her hometown to conduct research. She is married to a Canadian. (48/prb)