Death toll may rise, many missing

ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar

Yuyun, a volunteer with the Information and Crisis Center for Missing People, reads the names of those people still missing after Saturday's attacks in Kuta and Jimbaran in a hoarse voice.

"We are still updating (the list) every hour, every minute until we know their whereabouts," she said.

Based on an authorized statement from Sanglah Hospital, the number of fatalities has reached 26 but the police figure remained at 22 on Sunday evening.

"But we are still finding body parts here and there, nearby the bomb locations both in Kuta and Jimbaran," Yuyun said.

The police and a team from the Indonesian Red Cross continue their search for the missing. When tragedy struck on Saturday evening, the attacked venues -- Raja's Bar and Restaurant in Kuta Square, Kafe Nyoman and Kafe Menega in Jimbaran -- were crowded with both foreigners and Indonesians.

Having a drink at Raja's Bar has been a popular way to unwind among tourists. Similarly, the Jimbaran seafood stalls are a favorite place to dine because of the spectacular views over the bay.

But on Oct.1, what had begun as a pleasant evening for many, including couples and families, became a horrifying experience.

Video footage taken by amateurs reveals the last minutes before the tragedy. Dozens of guests are shown dining at Raja's before a man passes through the crowd and the blast creates havoc. In Kafe Menega in Jimbaran, a party is underway and the recipient of a door prize is being named before the deadly blasts.

"We have arrived at this list of 25 names based on reports from families, friends and hotel managements where they were staying," Yuyun commented.

The discovery of additional body parts in the two locations has given rise to speculation that the number of fatalities will also increase. The Ministry of Health has arranged for forensic teams from Surabaya, Jakarta, Makassar and Denpasar to identify the body parts.

Minister of Health Siti Fadilah Supari said while visiting Sanglah Hospital on Sunday that the forensic work was underway. The fact that many of the dead bodies were not burned like the victims of the Oct.12, 2002 blasts makes their task easier.

In the 2002 bombings it took more than six months to identify some dead bodies while many have only ever been identified as Mr or Miss X.