Embassies drafted in to deal with victims

Embassies drafted in to deal with victims

Agencies
Kuta, Bali

The Indonesian government has been coordinating with the
embassies of the countries whose citizens fell victim to
Saturday's bomb explosions in the Kuta beach resort on the island
of Bali.

"We have established ongoing coordination and consultation
with the embassies for dealing with the remains of the bomb
victims," Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Marty
Natalegawa, told Antara here on Friday.

Marty was commenting on a complaint by the Bali provincial
administration, which said it was finding it difficult to handle
the bodies of the victims.

He disclosed on the sidelines of a visit by Australian Prime
Minister John Howard that there had been no agreement on what to
do with the bodies -- whether they should be buried in Bali or
sent back home.

He attributed the delay in reaching an agreement to, among
other things, the failure so far to identify some of the victims.

Bali provincial administration public relations chief I Gde
Nurjaya had earlier complained about the handling of the victims
of the Bali bombing incident, which claimed 184 lives.

"We want it to be decided soon whether the bodies will be
buried en masse in Bali, or sent back to their respective
countries," Nurjaya said.

He admitted, however, that any decision should first be
consulted with the ambassadors of the respective countries.

"As such, the Indonesian government should coordinate with the
representatives of the countries concerned," he said.

Relatives of the victims from some countries, especially
Australia, have demanded that the remains of the victims be
returned soon for proper burial.

At least 184 people were killed and more than 300 were injured
in the Bali nightclub bombing last Saturday, but most of the
bodies were burned beyond recognition and have yet to be
identified.

There are conflicting reports on how many people are missing,
and authorities have yet to compile a centralized list.

Only confirmed nationals are listed, except where noted:

Australia, 30
Indonesia, 9
Britain, 9
Ecuador, 1
France, 1
Germany, 1
Netherlands, 1
New Zealand, 1
(though authorities there say three New Zealanders have been
confirmed dead or missing)
South Korea, 1
United States, 2
- Swiss authorities believe three of their citizens died in the
bombing.
- The bodies of five people who listed Singapore as their place
of residence have been identified, but the government there says
none are Singaporean. A Singapore-based rugby club made up of
expatriates has confirmed that four British members of the club
died in the bombing.

Sources: Bali hospital officials; consular officials.