Islands in focus: Explosion kills two in Makassar

The Jakarta Post, Makassar, Tue, August 04 2015,


Two women in Makassar, South Sulawesi, were killed on Monday in the massive explosion of a fishing bomb. The incident, which took place at the Puri Pa’tene residential complex in Biringkanaya district, also injured two other people and damaged 10 houses.

Makassar Police chief Sr. Comr. Fery Abraham said the explosion was allegedly of a fishing bomb as police investigators at the scene could detect the smell of gunpowder, a common material for such bombs. The police also found several detonators at the house in which the explosion occurred.

“Based on provisional examinations, the explosion was caused by a fishing bomb. However, to confirm it, we need to wait for the examination results from the forensic laboratory and the autopsies of the two victims,” Fery told The Jakarta Post.

The two victims are identified as Ramlah, 48, and Sania, 36.

Fery said that according to several witnesses Ramlah’s husband works as fisherman. The man, however, was not at home when the incident happened.

Local residents reported that they felt a tremor when the explosion took place. They panicked and immediately left their homes. No one approached the scene of the explosion until police arrived.

Earlier on the day, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was also in Makassar to attend the opening ceremony of the national congress of Muhammadiyah, the country’s second largest Muslim organization, at Karebosi Square, located some 25 kilometers away from the explosion site.



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