CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA
Jalan Pattimura 32 – Ambon 97124 – Indonesia
Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337
E-mail: crisiscentre01@hotmail.com
Ambon, April 3, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS – Report No. 254
1. BOMB BLAST – At 11.30 a.m. today, a thundering bomb blast in the Christian
centre of the town caused death and destruction. The exact location was on the Jan
Paays Street, in front of the small “Nelayan II” restaurant, where usually many
people gather on the side-walk to have a chat and to gamble. Going to see the site
afterwards, we noticed that the restaurant and some adjacent shops were badly
damaged. The big “Amboina” Hotel at the opposite side of the street had most of its
windowpanes broken, up to the sixth floor. Local national RRI Radio reports that
according to most witnesses, the bomb was thrown out of a red Toyota-Kijang !
passenger car, that passed along at high speed and – after throwing the bomb – fled
through the Anthony Rheebock Street. Human victims were numerous. At least five
people were reported to have been killed by the explosion. The number of wounded is
57. Most of them have injuries at their legs and thighs. It is not known who or what
faction is behind this bomb explosion.
2. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE BUILDING SET AFIRE – About half an hour after the
bomb explosion thick clouds of smoke could be seen hovering over the city:
apparently the large Governor’s Office Building at the end of the Pattimura Street
was set ablaze. The whole Pattimura Street meanwhile was in uproar. Frequent
warning shots by security forces only added to the overall turmoil. The burning of the
Governor’s Office was probably done by Christians that got fed up with all injustice
done to them, among other things by the recent decision by the Governor to postpone
the final date of voluntary handing over of weaponry by civilians till April 30, 2002, !
thus undermining people’s trust in the consequent implementation of the Moluccas
Agreement of Malino.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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