Bomb explodes in Tarakan

SAMARINDA: Bombs dating from World War II exploded yesterday in Tarakan, East Kalimantan, shocking local residents.

Tarakan military chief Lt. Col. Soekarno, said that residents were jolted awake by a series of explosions. The sounds came from a burning forest near the popular tourist resort of Amal beach.

"We believe that the source of the explosion was old land mines or artillery mortars," he told Antara.

Soekarno said many explosives from World War II, including bombs, grenades, and sea and land mines were buried at Amal beach.

In 1942 Japanese troops landed on the beach on Tarakan island which was the scene of much fierce fighting for the rest of the war.

Earlier this year, a farmer found a 100-kg bomb, several rounds of rifle ammunition, a field telephone, and a cannon in Kampung Enam village.

In 1997, two elementary school students died when they attempted to break open an old bomb in Teritip village, Balikpapan.