The Jakarta Post, 7/27/2002 6:37:35 PM
Bomb explodes in Ambon, injuring at least 55
Despite a bombing that left at least 55 people injured on Saturday, the situation in
Maluku, particularly the provincial capital of Ambon, remained calm, an indication that
most locals remain firmly behind the peace deal signed in February.
In the predominantly Christian area of Kudamati, Sirimau subdistrict, where the bomb
went off, people went about their daily activities. And the hundreds of security
personnel deployed to the subdistrict have not blocked off the area.
Traffic was flowing as usual and the streets were crowded with pedestrians, all signs
that residents are eager to avoid a return to the sectarian conflict that rocked the
province for three and half years.
But the situation was not normal at Dr. Haulussy General Hospital, GPM General
Hospital, the military hospital, Al-Fatah Hospital and the Bhakti Rahayu General
Hospital, where the aftermath of the bombing was evident. The bombing victims, many
in critical condition, were taken to the five hospitals for treatment.
Victims being treated at Dr. Haulussy General Hospital in Kudamati were visited by
Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Soenarko Danu Ardianto minutes after he toured the
site of the explosion.
The bomb, which is believed to have been in a handcart filled with ice, exploded at
11:10 a.m. near a shopping center and Pattimura University's polytechnic school.
Many of those injured in the blast were shoppers and students. The explosion caused
panic among shoppers and shop owners, and destroyed a number of shops,
motorcycles and passing vehicles.
But the hundreds of police and military personnel deployed to the scene were able to
bring the situation under control.
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