Blasts hurt over 70 churchgoers

JAKARTA (JP): Sunday services at two churches in East Jakarta were disrupted after two powerful blasts sent churchgoers scrambling out of the houses of worship.

Churchgoers said the first blast rocked Santa Anna Catholic church in the Navy residential complex in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, at 7:05 a.m.

Five minutes later, another explosion shook the Huriah Kristen Batak Protestant (HKBP) church in the Army residential complex in Jatiwaringin, East Jakarta.

However, East Jakarta Police chief of detectives Comr. Agus Irianto said that the blast at the church in Jatiwaringin occurred first.

While no fatalities were reported in both blasts, at least 70 churchgoers, mostly from Santa Anna church, were injured, some critically. One person reportedly had to have his leg amputated.

Those injured included seven-month-old baby Stefani, two-year- old Putri and 19-year-old Angilina, who is reportedly in critical condition due to burns to most of her body. A number of victims suffered broken legs.

The blast at Santa Anna church was caused by a homemade explosive device placed under the seventh bench from the back near the right side of the gate, police said.

The second blast was also caused by a homemade explosive device, and had been placed in an empty M-18 mikrolet (minivan), which plies the Pondok Gede - Kampung Melayu route. The minivan was parked outside the Protestant church on Jl. Artileri Makassar in the Army complex.

The blast destroyed the minivan and a red Mitsubishi car parked in front of the minivan.

Police were questioning several eyewitnesses, including one who claimed he saw someone placing the explosive inside the minivan.

While blast victims were rushed to nearby hospitals, churches in the capital condemned the bombings, and police officials quickly warned city residents not to be provoked by the incidents.

Following the blasts, police security was tightened at a number of popular churches here, including the cathedral in Central Jakarta, where police officers checked the bags of visitors before they entered the church.

"Judging from the nature of the blasts, I believe they were caused by powerful explosives. I understand that there are certain organizations who want to worsen the religious tension here. Please do not be provoked," city police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam said on Sunday.

Police officers found gotri (tiny black steel pellets) in and around the blast areas, indicating that both bombs had been packed with the pellets.

While police were still scouring the blast sites for clues until late Sunday night, President Abdurrahman Wahid announced in the afternoon that the explosive devices were made by state ammunitions producer PT Pindad, and had come from an Army storehouse.

"I have asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto to take immediate action and investigate the blast incidents," Abdurrahman said, after visiting victims receiving medical treatment at Saint Carolus Hospital in Central Jakarta.

The President was accompanied by Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri's sister, Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, and Cardinal Darmaatmadja during his visit.

"The blasts were inhumane, cursed acts that violated existing regulations. We feel a deep sadness because the victims are innocent people. We can only pray for their speedy recovery," Abdurrahman said.

The blasts also provided a venue for several political figures, who, following their visits to blast victims at hospitals, expressed their views on the political situation.

Condemning the blasts, People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais said on Sunday that Abdurrahman's presidency would end in a matter of hours.

"Everyone should remain calm. We must stay clear of any acts of terrorism. When one uses terror as a means to achieve one's political goals, that is simply uncivilized and inhuman," Amien said.

House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung, who also visited the victims at Saint Carolus Hospital, said that he too condemned the bombings.

"I don't think he (Abdurrahman) can use this (the bombings) as an excuse to declare a state of emergency," Akbar said.

Minister of Health Ahmad Sujudi said that the state would cover the victims' medical expenses. (ylt/rsl/06)