Despite a bombing that left at least 55 people injured on
Saturday, the situation in Maluku, particularly the provincial
capital of Ambon, remained calm, an indication that most locals
remain firmly behind the peace deal signed in February.
In the predominantly Christian area of Kudamati, Sirimau
subdistrict, where the bomb went off, people went about their
daily activities. And the hundreds of security personnel deployed
to the subdistrict have not blocked off the area.
Traffic was flowing as usual and the streets were crowded with
pedestrians, all signs that residents are eager to avoid a return
to the sectarian conflict that rocked the province for three and
half years.
But the situation was not normal at Dr. Haulussy General
Hospital, GPM General Hospital, the military hospital, Al-Fatah
Hospital and the Bhakti Rahayu General Hospital, where the
aftermath of the bombing was evident. The bombing victims, many in
critical condition, were taken to the five hospitals for
treatment.
Victims being treated at Dr. Haulussy General Hospital in
Kudamati were visited by Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Soenarko
Danu Ardianto minutes after he toured the site of the explosion.
The bomb, which is believed to have been in a handcart filled
with ice, exploded at 11:10 a.m. near a shopping center and
Pattimura University's polytechnic school.
Many of those injured in the blast were shoppers and students.
The explosion caused panic among shoppers and shop owners, and
destroyed a number of shops, motorcycles and passing vehicles.
But the hundreds of police and military personnel deployed to
the scene were able to bring the situation under control.
