Blast kills 13-year-old boy

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: A blast killed 13-year-old Abdul Nasun, a resident of the village of Balika in Witihama district, East Adonara island, East Flores, and injured two of his friends, an officer said on Friday.

Larantuka Police deputy chief Maj. Dwi Suseno said the explosive, which was not a bomb, was believed to be the remnants of the Dutch troops during colonial era.

The three boys were looking for firewood in a forest near their village on Tuesday when they found a fist-sized iron ball. Abdul and his two friends, Husein Samsil, 10, and Elim Sabon Nuban, 6, reportedly threw the explosive onto a fire.

"The explosive went off and instantly killed Abdul, who was squatting close to the fire. Both Husein and Elim were severely injured," Dwi said, adding that the wounded were being treated at state-run Larantuka Hospital. (yac)