Over 180 killed in Bali bombing

14 October 2002

by Mira Renata - WV Indonesia

Jakarta- At least 182 people died and 300 others were injured following two bomb explosions on the holiday island of Bali on Saturday night.

The dead were mostly foreign nationals from Australia, Britain, France, Germany, New Zealand, and Singapore. By Sunday evening, only 35 bodies had been identified as most bodies are completely charred from the blasts.

The explosions occurred almost simultaneously in two tourist-packed bars in Kuta Beach area on Saturday midnight (local time) and transformed the holiday destination into a horrifying scene of death and wreckage.

Earlier on Saturday evening, a home made bomb damaged the Philippine consulate in the North Sulawesi capital of Manado, causing some damage.

A third explosion occurred outside the honorary U.S. consulate in Sanur, about 10 kilometers from Kuta. No casualties were reported.

Many regard the explosions as the worst terrorist act in Indonesia's history and will require President Megawati Sukarnoputri's government to restore the country’s faltering security and economy situation.

World Vision Indonesia is currently supporting one childcare home in Bali, which is located some 20 kilometers north of Kuta. The home remains safe.

Hospitals in Bali’s capital of Denpasar are currently overwhelmed with victims. The Indonesian government has welcomed international offers of humanitarian assistance and an Australian medical team is on its way today. The Australian government has also evacuated some 200 shocked and injured Australians on its airforce planes and special Qantas flights.

Several embassies of major countries, including the U.S, have issued travel warnings and urged their citizens to stay on alert and avoid public places across the country.

The U.S. embassy yesterday ordered the departure of its non-emergency staff and their families.

President Megawati Sukarnoputri, who flew to Bali after an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday, said the Indonesian government will continue to cooperate with international communities to fight terrorism.

Indonesia is alleged to have a presence of al Qaeda links in its territory and is continuously being pressured to tackle its Muslim militants.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the Bali explosions were clear proof that terrorist activities are present in the country. “Terrorism is right in front of our eyes and should (acts of terrorism) occur we must take stern measures,” he said to national media in Bandung, West Java.

The National Police Chief Gen. Da’I Bachtiar shared the same view and underlined the necessity for Indonesia to have a law on terrorism to anticipate and legally deal with the issue.

The Indonesian government has recently completed a draft of an anti-terrorism bill, which will be deliberated on in the near future.