Blast victim escapes from hospital

Blast victim escapes from hospital

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: One of the three persons injured in a bomb blast during the second Muslim congress in the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar on Dec. 30 has escaped from the hospital.

Makassar Police chief Comr. Sr. Amin Saleh said on Wednesday his station had been notified about the escape of Bahar from the city's Islamic Faisal Hospital on Monday, and it had continued to search for him.

The motive for his escape remains unclear. However, Bahar was rumored to have played a role in the bomb explosion during the congress at Makassar's Sudiang pilgrims' dormitory.

Amin said the police were now keeping another two victims, Mohammad Toha and Abu Iyyat, under surveillance, as they were currently undergoing intensive treatment for their serious wounds.

The police have questioned a number of witnesses in relation to the incident. These included a catering businessmen who supplied food and drinks to participants of the Muslim congress. --Antara