CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA
Jalan Pattimura 32 - Ambon 97124 - Indonesia
Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337
E-mail: comamq@ambon.wasantara.net.id
Ambon, December 12, 2001
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS – Report no. 214
1. VICTIMS OF THE BOMB BLAST ON THE CALIFORNIA MOTORBOAT –
Motorboat "California" on its voyage from Gudang Arang to Galala in the morning of
December 11, had about 80 passengers on board. Seven of these have been
confirmed to be killed; 42 have burns, several of whom are in critical condition. Among
those injured there are three marine servicemen. Another three marines are said to be
missing. Also several passengers are missing and people are wondering whether
these might have been abducted.
2. REACTION OF THE CITIZENS OF AMBON – It has not yet been officially
acknowledged that the fire on the "California" was caused by a bomb. Anyway, there
was at about 9.00 a.m. yesterdag a frightening explosion on the boat, coming from
the engine room at the back of the ship. A muslim said on TV that may be it was a
bomb that was brought along by the crew of the ship itself to be ready for reasons of
selfdefense in case there would be an attack on the ship. Many christians in the city
got into a frenzy. At about 10.00 a.m. yesterday a crowd of christians went up to the
governor’s office building throwing stones, causing minor damage to the building and
to the nearby Mustika hotel. After they were driven away by security forces, they then
went to the town’s Legislative Council building and burned it down. Another group of
christians burned down the marine security forces’ post at Galala. In the town
christian and muslim masses were forestalled by security forces to come near each
other by erecting barricades.
3. ADDITIONAL VICTIMS OF THE "CALIFORNIA" DISASTER (supplementary
information in the evening of December 12) – Among the passengers of the ill-fated
motorboat "California" there were two Dutchmen, Moluccan descendants, who were in
Ambon for humanitarian purposes. One of them, Julius Patty, survived, whereas the
body of the other, Erold Nanlohy, eventually was found floating in the sea in the
evening of December 12, i.e. almost 36 hours after the blast. His relatives in the
Netherlands have been notified. Three marine servicemen of the six that were on the
boat in order to escort its passage, initially were missing. However, on December 12,
the bodies of two of them were found, the third one is still missing. Besides, the body
of a nine year old girl was found, bringing the total of death toll on eleven people.
C.J.Böhm MSc,
Secretary of Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
Received via e-mail from : Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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