Explosion hits BCA ATM at Atrium Senen

JAKARTA (JP): An unknown material exploded at one of the two Bank Central Asia (BCA) automated teller machines (ATMs) on the ground floor of the Atrium Senen shopping center in Central Jakarta on Friday afternoon.

No fatalities were reported.

The glass windows, ceiling and walls of the ATM booth were destroyed in the blast. The air conditioner vent and a cupboard were slightly damaged. The overhead light was hanging from a cable from the destroyed ceiling.

An unidentified man, with his wife, who was about to withdraw money from the ATM suffered a light wound to his forehead.

Central Jakarta Police chief Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said at the site that police had not yet named a suspect, and were still questioning at least seven people, including the injured man and his wife, to gather further information for their investigation.

"I'm not an expert (on bombings) but judging from the debris and smell at the site, I'd say that this was caused by firecrackers," Iman said.

A detective at the site added: "It seems that the (unidentified) thing was thrown from a distance. So, it was not put inside the ATM booth."

Scores of bomb squad members and detectives from the City Police Mobile Brigade arrived at the site some 35 minutes after the explosion, collecting samples of debris and dust from the scene.

Several nearby ATM booths were undamaged in the explosion.

According to Iman, the injured man and his wife were about to withdraw money from the BCA ATM when he noticed some smoke coming from the booth.

"He then told his wife to step back but it was already too late. An explosion was heard and he was lightly wounded on his forehead," he said.

Police said that they have not found any metal or other evidence that would indicate a bomb explosion.

Due to its financial problems, BCA -- like many of the country's private banks -- is under the government's control.

Previously, the bank was owned by businessman Liem Sioe Liong.

One of the seven witnesses, Ahmad Sukrilah, 34, told The Jakarta Post that he was about to withdraw money from one of ATMs when he noticed a black plastic bag inside the booth.

"I smelt something burning. Worried, I moved back and heard a bang and... I feel unconscious," he said at the Central Jakarta Police precinct.

None of the ATMs were damaged. (edt/bsr)