Seven killed, 42 injured in Ambon explosion

Novi Pinontoan, The Jakarta Post, Ambon

At least seven people were killed and 42 others were seriously injured in a strong explosion onboard the California which was in Ambon Bay sailing to Galala ferry port from Banteng near the provincial capital city of Ambon on Tuesday.

It was not immediately clear if the strong blast was caused by a bomb or was an accident, but the area has long been wracked by intense Muslim-Christian violence and suspicions were rife that it may have been a deliberate attack on the boat which was carrying mostly Christians.

There has yet to be an official explanation about the explosion which occurred at 9:15 a.m. local time (7:15 a.m. in Jakarta). Witnesses said they believed a bomb had been planted on the vessel, while others said an explosive had been thrown at the boat from a passing speedboat

Four of the seven dead victims were identified as Mrs. Hesti Mailoa, Noce Limahelu, Hildo Maspaitella and Maria Parinusa while three others, including the body of a Marine Corps soldier whose name was not released.

The spokesman for the Maluku provincial administration, May. M.L. Djari that of the six Marine Corp soldiers -- deployed to escort the ferry -- one died instantly, three were seriously wounded and two others were missing and believed to be dead.

Hospital employees claimed that all of the victims were Christians.

The explosion incited thousands of Christians to storm the city's streets, pelting stones at the governor's office and burning down the city legislative council building during their protest against the local authorities' inaction to restore security and order in the prolonged sectarian conflict.

The city was immediately paralyzed, with shops and offices closed while, on the streets, only about 25 percent of public transportation vehicles were operating late on Tuesday.

The exact number of casualties in the incident had not yet been determined.

Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina said he did not know the cause of the explosion.

"I cannot explain to the public the causes of the explosion because it could raise a serious problem among the people. But, the ship's crew members, especially its captain, will be summoned over the incident," he said.

The government has imposed a state of civilian emergency to help restore security and order in the province that has claimed more than 5,000 civilian people since the violence erupted in January, 1999.

Meanwhile, Djari added that there were seven dead victims whose relatives wanted them evacuated to the Dr. Haulusy General Hospital from the Navy hospital in Ambon.

"Many families have also wanted their relatives who were injured in the incident to be evacuated to the general hospital to get necessary medical treatment and we are making a coordination with local security authorities," he said.

He said the provincial administration had sent necessary drugs and medical equipment to the Navy hospital for the victims.