Hot water spring found in Jayapura

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)