2005 Bali bombings
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The 2005 Bali bombings were a series of explosions that occurred on October 1, 2005, in Bali, Indonesia. Reports indicate that at least three consecutive blasts occurred along Jimbaran beach and at Kuta Square. At least 22 people have been killed. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has condemned the blasts as a "criminal act."
Background information
Bali is an island in Indonesia, and a popular destination for tourists around the world. Bali is predominantly a Hindu enclave in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation. Bali had enjoyed relative peace since the Indonesian Civil War until the 2002 Bali bombing, an attack carried out by terrorists of the Jemaah Islamiyah group.
The explosions
The Indonesian national news agency, ANTARA, reported that the first two explosions occurred at 6:50 p.m. local time, near a Jimbaran food court and the third at 7:00 p.m. in Kuta Town Square. Other reports claim that the blasts occured at around 7:15 p.m. At least 3 blasts have been reported.
One of the blasts is thought to have struck a crowded main square at central Kuta. Another two bombs exploded at warungs along the Jimbaran beach, one of which was near the Four Seasons Hotel. These areas are generally popular with Western tourists (CNA). Police claimed they found three unexploded bombs in Jimbaran [2].
According to Indonesia's head of counter-terrorism, Major General Ansyaad Mbai, early evidence indicates that the attacks were carried out by at least three suicide bombers in a similar fashion to the 2002 bombings. The remnants of backpacks and excessively mutilated bodies are believed to be evidence of suicide bombings. There remains also a possibility that backpacks were hidden inside the target restaurants before detonation. [3][4][5] Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty said that the bombs used appear to have differed from previous blasts in that most deaths and injuries had been inflicted by shrapnel, rather than chemical explosion. A medical officer's x-rays showed foreign objects described as "pellets" in many victims' bodies and a victim reported ball bearings lodged in her back. [6]
The bombings occurred the same day that Indonesia cut its fuel subsidies resulting in gas prices rising by 125% and just two days before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and 11 days before the third anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombing. The attack came during the school holiday period in some states of Australia, when an estimated 7,500 Australians are believed to have been visiting Bali.
Casualties
Template:2005 Bali bombings casualty News reports have been conflicting, with the latest report citing 19 dead and between 101 to 127 injured. [7] Some earlier reports put the number of fatalities as between 26 to 36 people, but those figures have since been lowered.
Most of the casualties were sent to Bali's Sanglah hospital, and mostly treated for injuries caused by broken glass. Others were sent to Griya Asih hospital. [8] As in the 2002 bombings, some of the injured, primarily foreign nationals, are being evacuated to medical facilities in Australia and Singapore. [9][10] There are currently no formal reports from Indonesian authorities regarding the number of casualties.
Among those killed are 12 Indonesians, 4 Australians, 2 Americans and a Japanese national, not counting the 3 suicide bombers. The wounded included 19 Australians, 6 South Koreans, 6 Americans, 4 Japanese and 1 Briton. [11][12][13]
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, confirmed that one 16 year old Australian boy was killed, and that officials held "grave concerns" for another two. [14] There have been reports that officials from the Sanglah Hospital have confirmed three Australian deaths. [15] Following the 2002 Bali bombings, in which more Australians than any other nationals were killed and injured, and the 2004 bombing of Australia's Embassy in Jakarta, the latest attacks received extensive coverage in Australia and were denounced by some officials, such as Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley, as an attack on Australians.[16]
Prior warnings
Indonesian authorities were expecting such an event, after the Indonesian President warned of more bombings within the country, and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs had issued warnings two days before the event. However, the Australian Government has claimed that it received no specific prior warning of a terrorist attack being imminent in Bali. Minister Downer has also played down any knowledge of specific signs of the potential event, despite the DFAT warning on the last day of September. [17] DFAT has warned Australians against non-essential travel to Indonesia since before the 2002 attacks - a warning still in effect. The Department advises travellers against congregating in areas popular with Western tourists.
In May of 2005, the US State Department issued a Travel Warning against non-essential trips to Indonesia that is still in effect. [18]
A Philippine security official said that for months intelligence officials in Southeast Asia had received information that the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah group was orchestrating a major strike, possibly in the Philippines or Indonesia, but were unable to uncover the plot's details in time to prevent it. [19]
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's National News Radio network reported on October 3 that several Australian tourists had heard rumours about a planned bombing, prompting Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley to urge the Australian government to form closer intelligence ties with Indonesia.
Suspects
Police Major General Ansyaad Mbai, a top Indonesian anti-terrorism official, told the Associated Press that the bombings "were clearly the work of terrorists". [20]
Mbai identified two wanted Malaysian men as suspects for masterminding the attack. These two men were also thought to have masterminded the previous bombings in Bali and Jakarta. Azahari Husin, a member of Jemaah Islamiah, is a former engineer and university lecturer who gained a doctorate from University of Reading in the late 1980s. He is nicknamed the Demolition Man and is thought to collaborate with the second suspect: Noordin Mohammed Top, who is a bomb maker and whose wife was jailed for three years for harbouring him. [21] Mbai said that the two men were not believed to be among the three suicide bombers, whose remains were found. [22]
The attacks "bear the hallmarks" of the active terrorist network Jemaah Islamiah, an organisation linked to Al-Qaeda, which carried out the 2002 Bali nightclub bombing, the 2003 Marriott Hotel bombing and the 2004 Australian embassy bombing. Islamist terrorist groups are often noted for their repeated choice of site for bombings. Al-Qaeda struck the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001, they also attacked the same location in 1993.
Rohan Gunaratna, head of terrorism research at Singapore's Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, told Agence France-Presse that "The only group that has the intention and capability to mount a coordinated and simultaneous attack against a western target in Indonesia is Jemaah Islamiyah." [23] Australian Prime Minister John Howard said "I have no evidence that it was JI, but you'd have to be very suspicious." [24]
Motivations for the bombings remain unclear. Some, such as the Australian Prime Minister, have suggested the attacks were intended to undermine Indonesia's moderate democractic government. Moreover, media organisations have suggested that the attack was planned to correspond with massive fuel price increases in Indonesia, so as to maximise economic and political damage. On the contrary, Dr Sidney Jones, of the International Crisis Group, believes that it was not an attempt to undermine democracy "per se", but rather an example of jihadist extremism: "I think they very much see the world in a black and white way, us against them, Muslims against infidels... [They see] that the infidels led by the United States as part of a Christian-Zionist conspiracy are out to persecute and attack and eliminate Muslims around the world, and therefore, [they] have to fight back." However, in common with the Prime Minister, Dr Jones believes the attack was indiscriminate and not an attack on Australians "per se". She suggested Bali was selected as the site of the attacks because there was less chance of Indonesian Muslims being killed, and there was "a chance of getting a few foreigners". [25]
Investigation
Indonesian police believed that three suicide bombers carried out the bombings. A presidential spokesman Dino Djalal said that the police found a total of "six legs and three heads but no middle bodies, and that's the strong sign of suicide bombers." Initially, there were conflicting reports on the number of bombs; but later, the police confirmed only three bombs. [26]
An amateur video capturing the scene at the restaurant in Kuta showed one bomber with a backpack walking inside just seconds before a huge explosion. [27]
Response
Indonesia
Indonesia — President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has condemned the blasts as a "criminal act" and has called for an urgent meeting with Indonesian security officials. He will be visiting the tourist resort island, but it is still unclear at this moment about when the President will arrive at the island. He vowed that those responsible will be caught, saying "We will hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice." (ANTARA), (BBC)- Indonesia — Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo AS., State Intelligence Agency Head Syamsir Siregar and Police Chief General Sutanto have been instructed by the Indonesian President to leave for Bali on the evening of 1 October 2005. (ANTARA)
- Indonesia — Vice-President Jusuf Kalla told the BBC that the government is uncertain of the group responsible for these attacks.
Asia
China — Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing sent a message to his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirajuda expressing the Chinese government's condolences for the victims of the bombings and conveying the sympathy for their family members. China strongly condemned the terrorist act and would continue to support the Indonesian government's efforts to combat terrorism and maintain domestic stability. [28]
India — Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that these kind of stupid acts by terrorists won't shatter the spirit of fighting against terrorism. He said terrorism can be brought to an end only by proving to the so called "Warriors for the Sake" that the general masses are not scared. He strongly condemned the attack and expressed his deepest sympathies and condolence messages to the families of the victims. (HT)
Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi criticized the bombings as "scurvy and impermissible acts that cannot be justified regardless of the reason,"[29]- Japan — Foreign Ministry spokesman Yoshinori Katori denounced the bomb blasts. He said that "the government of Japan reiterates its firm condemnation of atrocious terrorism that victimizes many innocent people," and added that "terrorism cannot be justified for any reason." [30]
South Korea Foreign Ministry stated "Such terrorists acts against humanity cannot be justified in any way," the ministry said in a statement. "South Korea will join hands with the international community in fighting with terrorism. We hope the Indonesian people can recover from the impact and sadness brought by the bombings as soon as possible," [31]
Malaysia - Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said "I hope the Indonesian authorities will investigate and get the perpetrators" . Expressing his condolences to the families of the dead and injured, the Prime Minister said he was deeply saddened by the violence in the tourist resort island. [32]
Philippines — President Gloria Arroyo said "We sympathize with the victims' families and reaffirm our partnership with Indonesia against terror". [33] She has ordered a tightening of security measures in the Philippines. [34]
Singapore — Foreign Minister George Yeo condemned the Bali bomb attacks and expressed his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims. He said the latest attack was a reminder that although terrorist groups have been weakened, they remained a threat to our societies. (CNA)- Singapore — Two hospitals, Singapore General Hospital and Mount Elizabeth Hospital, are treating victims from the blasts. The injured were being flown in by a medical assistance company International SOS. [35]
Americas
United States — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that "The United States condemns the terrorist bombings today in Bali that claimed innocent lives and injured many more. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured," and that "The United States stands with the people and government of Indonesia as they work to bring to justice those responsible for these acts of terrorism. We will continue to work together in our common fight against terror." [36]
Canada — Minister of Foreign Affairs Pierre Pettigrew said that "Canada strongly condemns this terrorist act, and we are deeply troubled by such incidents. On behalf of all Canadians, we extend our deepest sympathies to the victims and their families," and that "While the details are still unfolding, this is clearly an act directed against innocent civilians. The perpetrators must be found and brought to justice. Canada condemns all acts of terrorism and is committed to working with Indonesia in the fight against international terrorism." [37]
Europe
France — President Jacques Chirac said in a letter to the Indonesian President that the "news of the terrible attack that ripped through Bali has stunned and saddened me," and that "France in the strongest possible way condemns these hateful acts." [38]- France — Foreign Ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei said French officials were "deeply moved by the series of explosions that hit the island of Bali at the end of the day, making many victims among the island population." [39]
Germany — Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer denounced "in the strongest possible terms the despicable attacks in Bali." [40]
Russia — President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono over loss of life in the barbaric terror attacks on Bali Island. He wrote: "the recent bombings provide one more proof of the fact that international terrorism is a global threat and that the world community must be irreconcilable and resolute, and take all measures to uproot this threat". [41]
United Kingdom — Prime Minister Tony Blair condemned the attacks saying that "we (the United Kingdom) stand by Indonesia at this very difficult time," and that "our thoughts are with the victims and their families". [42]
Africa
South Africa President Thabo Mbeki said "The government and people of South Africa express their unequivocal condemnation of the series of bombings in [Indonesia] today, in which a number of people were killed and many others maimed and wounded,"[43]
Oceania
Australia — Prime Minister John Howard said "I see it very much as part of an ongoing attempt by terrorists to undermine democratic Indonesia." He said that Australia would help in Indonesia's response to the attacks.[44].- Australia — Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley has condemned the bombings saying "I'm sure that I speak on behalf of all Australians, we just utterly condemn this vicious, evil act by our enemies in the South-East Asian region, Jemaah Islamiah or whoever is immediately behind this." He also offered condolences to victims saying "Our hearts are with the families, of the bereaved, and the suffering, and the sense of grief and enormous discomfort and concern that they now feel". [45]
- Australia — Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott, who was holidaying in Bali at the time of the bombings, has visited injured Australians being treated in hospital. He praised the work of doctors who have been treating victims. [46]
- Australia — Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Kevin Rudd has called the attacks "revolting beyond description". [47]
- Australia — Australia has dispatched Australian Federal Police officers and forensic experts, including those who assisted in 2002, to aid the investigation. Qantas is also dispatching two special flights to Bali to help evacuate Australians wishing to leave the island. [48]
New Zealand — Prime Minister Helen Clark said such "callous and cold-blooded" acts "are an affront to humanity." She said New Zealand would offer whatever help Indonesia requires. [49]
Multinational Organisations
— United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said that he "is dismayed that Bali has yet again been the scene of terrorist outrage almost three years after the attacks of October 2002," and that he "sends [my] deepest sympathy to the injured and the bereaved of many nationalities as well as to the Indonesian government." [50]- File:OIC Flag.png Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) — The inter-governmental organization denounced the deadly bombings. In a statement, OIC secretary general Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said that Bali attacks were "terrorist acts which totally contradict the teachings of Islam... and harm Islamic values which call for tolerance and coexistence." [51]
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Contacts
- 1800 002 214 (Telephone).
- 0800 432 111 from within New Zealand
- +64 4 439 8401 internationally
- 6379 8000, 6379 8855 (Telephone) for local phones
- +65 6379 8000, +65 6379 8855 if dialed internationaly.
- 6476 7302 (Fax)
- [email protected] (Email).
- Other countries - please see list of embassies and consulates in Indonesia.
See also
- 2000 Philippine ambassador bombing [53]
- 2000 Stock exchange bombing
- 2000 bombing of Churches
- 2002 Bali bombing, which killed 202 people.
- 2002 Makassar bombing
- 2003 Marriott Hotel bombing, which killed 12 and injured 150.
- 2004 Sulawesi bombing
- 2004 Jakarta embassy bombing, which killed 9 to 11 people.
- Jemaah Islamiyah, an Islamic terrorist group that is active in Indonesia.
- 2005 Sulawesi bombing
- 2005 Indonesian embassy bioterrorism hoax
- Bali’s message of dialogue Includes the Bali Declaration on Building Interfaith Harmony July 2005
External links
- ANTARA - Indonesian National News Agency
- BBC news report
- ABC news report
- Ninemsn, interview with Mercedes Corby
- Latest photos of the blast, Getty Images
- Bloomberg report
- Associated Press news report (random agency)
- CNN report
- CNN report with link to amateur video that captured one of the blasts. (Warning - graphic content)