Seven killed, 42 injured in Ambon explosion

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.