Hot water spring found in Jayapura

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Residents around Podena village, Jayapura, have discovered what could be the largest hot water spring in the province.

Jayapura regent Jan Pieter Karafir told Antara here yesterday the spring spurts boiling water out of the ground at a height of two meters.

He said many human and animal remains have been found. They were believed to have died due to contact with boiling water from the spring.

He explained that the indigenous people near the village had long known about the spring, but kept it a secret because they believed that it had mystical qualities.

It was not until the recent arrival of transmigrants to the area that word of this natural phenomenon leaked out. (mds)