Explosion occurs near penitentiary

JAKARTA (JP): A loud blast rocked local residents around the Salemba Penitentiary in Central Jakarta on Wednesday night, and destroyed one of three public telephone booths located in front of the penitentiary.

No fatalities were reported.

"The explosion came from a large amount of firecrackers that had been allegedly planted in or around the telephone booths. We are still investigating the case," Central Jakarta police chief of operational control, Adj. Comr. Paulus Waterpauw, told The Jakarta Post.

"We are currently questioning one witness, who allegedly made a call from one of the booths before the explosion occurred at 9.30 p.m."

A police source identified the witness as penitentiary warden Abdul Gafur. (ylt)