Bomb explosions kill two, injure 14 in Ambon
Bomb explosions kill two, injure 14 in Ambon
The Jakarta Post, Ambon
Two homemade bombs exploded in two separate areas in the Maluku
provincial capital of Ambon on Monday, leaving two dead and 14
others seriously injured.
Linggawati, 51, the owner of an electronics equipment store in
the city, died of severe injuries after a strong explosion ripped
through her store, while her son, Roberth, 25, died before he was
able to receive medical attention at the Graha Bhakti General
Hospital.
The bomb blast also injured 14 others, including three becak
(pedicab) drivers and several shoppers in the store. The injured
were still undergoing intensive care at two hospitals in the
city.
Security personnel investigating the incident said that the
bomb, which was fitted with a timer, was hidden in a piece of
electronics equipment and was aimed at creating new disturbances
in the city.
Tanto, 24, a worker in the shop, said the bomb blast destroyed
everything in the store.
"I was very shocked when the bomb explosion threw me to the
ground. All the goods in the shop have been destroyed," he said.
Beforehand, another bomb also exploded in Batumerah
subdistrict, leaving six people, among whom were three soldiers
and one student, injured.
Eyewitnesses said the bomb was hurled into a truck belonging
to the city administration by an unidentified man riding a
motorcycle.
The truck driver, however, kicked the bomb out.
The explosion enraged residents who then burned a Kijang van
that had been carrying seven people, including three soldiers, in
protest at the latest act of terrorism.
Neither the Pattimura Military Commander, Brig. Gen. Mustopo,
or the Maluku Provincial Police chief, Farouk Muhammad Saleh,
were available for comment on the two explosions.
The situation in the city is becoming tense again after three
months of relative calm. Thousands of people have been killed
and left homeless in the sectarian conflict that exploded in Jan.
1999. So far, no permanent solution to the conflict has been
found.
The government has sent additional troops to Maluku to help
keep the peace in Indonesia's Spice Islands.