Fish bombs kill seven fishermen

BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: Police are investigating the origin of fishing bombs which killed seven fishermen in Teluk Lampung when they exploded prematurely on Jan. 27.

Lampung detective chief Lt. Col. Yoyon Prasetyo said the bombs, believed to weigh more than 10 kilograms altogether, went off on Kelegian islet in Lampung Bay while the fishermen rested.

"We are curious as to how the fishermen obtained the bombs," Yoyon told Antara yesterday.

The local administration has banned fish bombing because it destroys marine life but admitted that it is difficult to track down bomb makers and users.

Yoyon said it would not be an easy job to investigate the latest case because all the fishermen involved had been killed. (pan)