Three die in road accident

SURAKARTA, Central Java: Three died and another was seriously injured in an accident that took place at about the same time as a motorcycle drag race that degenerated into violent rioting.

Police made it clear the three were not part of the mob attacks on facilities that forced the police to fire warning shots.

The drag race early Sunday ended in rioting and violent attacks on some facilities -- including a police office and the house of the local police chief -- after baton-wielding police personnel attempted to disperse hundreds of spectators gathering along a street connecting the town and Boyolali.

"The three died in an accident, not because of shots when we were defending the police headquarters from the mob attack," said Surakarta Police chief Col. Zainal Abidin Iskak on Monday, Antara reported.

"We did fire some warning shots and aimed at glass walls so that the noise vibrated and hopefully was enough to disperse the mob. It is not true that any of the masses were hit," he added.

Those who died were brothers Widodo, 17, and Daryoko, 20, and Wahono, 18. Sarjiman, 20, was seriously injured.

The news agency said the four were riding on two motorcycles, heading toward Surakarta. They were trying to overtake a truck when they both hit a taxi in front of the truck. (swe)