Nail Bomb Targeted at Eastern Indonesian Christians Kills 6 Injures 45

Reuters reported today that:

A bomb packed with nails exploded in a crowded Christian market selling pork ahead of New Year celebrations in eastern Indonesia on Saturday, killing six people and wounding 45, police said.

The blast in Palu, capital of volatile Central Sulawesi province, comes amid warnings of militant violence during the Christmas and New Year season in Indonesia. Pork is forbidden to Muslims, but eastern Indonesia has large pockets of Christians.

Bystanders carried bloodied shoppers from the makeshift market to a road, putting them in passing cars to be taken to hospital. One man screamed as he held up his bloodied arms.

"Suddenly there was a flash of light and a really loud bang. We were all thrown to the ground," one wounded pork seller said in an interview with El Shinta radio from his hospital bed.

"I saw many buyers who had lost their legs. We just tried to save ourselves by fleeing the market."

National police spokesman Major-General Paulus Purwoko put the death toll at six, with 45 wounded.

"It was a homemade bomb. It was full of nails," he said.

The complete story may be found at this link:

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-12-31T045252Z_01_KNE108815_RTRUKOC_0_US-INDONESIA-BLAST.xml