Bomb blast kills three in North Maluku

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.