WW II bomb kills 13, injures eight

TERNATE, North Maluku: Thirteen people died and eight others were wounded when a buried bomb left over from World War II exploded on Galogalo island.

The bomb exploded on Monday when a group of people tried to cut through the bomb casing to get at the explosives.

Antara reported here on Thursday that a statement issued by Morotai subdistrict chief Salim Ali said the injuries were being treated at a local community health center.

The 30-kilogram bomb was found last week. Authorities believe the bomb was a remnant left by the United States forces when they were in the area in the 1940s.

In May last year, a World War II bomb also exploded in Galela subdistrict on Halmahera island. Four people died in the incident. (04)