Bomb blast kills three in North Maluku

Jakarta Post, Jakarta

National Police Deputy Spokesman Sr. Comr. Zainuri Lubis said that a bomb, which exploded in a house in Tobelo, North Maluku, killing three people from one family early on Saturday, was an accident.

"As far the preliminary investigation goes, we found no evidence suggesting that the bomb was linked to a string of bombings or the sectarian violence in the province. The explosion was likely related to the resident's job as a fisherman who often blows up areas on coral reefs to catch fish," Zainuri told reporters Saturday at National Police headquarters.

He claimed the bomb which was stored in the attic of the house was unintentionally detonated, possibly by an electrical short circuit.

According to Zainuri, the family was sleeping when the explosion ripped through the house. Kasudi, 50, Mardi, 38 and Hadi Purnomo, 5, died instantly, while Hartati, 18, Yamse and Andi Andayani, 2, were severely injured. The bomb also slightly injured Yudianto, 25.

More than 5,000 people died during four years of brutal religious violence, which erupted in January 1999 in Maluku and North Maluku provinces. Jakarta imposed a state of emergency in both provinces in June 2000 and lifted it just last month when hostilities between the two groups appeared to be waning.