Blasts hurt over 70 churchgoers

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)