JAKARTA: An Indonesian cathedral was rocked by a suspected suicide bombing on Sunday that wounded more than a dozen as Christians inside celebrated the start of Holy Week, an attack slammed by the country’s leader as an “act of terror”.
The powerful blast outside a church hosting around 100 people in Makassar city on Sulawesi island happened around 10:30 am local time and left at least 14 church officials and congregants injured by debris, police said.
Indonesian police carry a bag with the remains of a suspected suicide bomber after an explosion outside a church in Makassar. — AFP photo
Authorities have said it appeared that at least one of two attackers who drove into the church compound on a motorcycle was killed in the blast.
Forensic investigators were poring over body parts of the suspected attackers scattered at the scene to determine the fate of the second suspect and to identify those behind what authorities have called a “suspected suicide bombing”.
“There were two people riding on a motorbike when the explosion happened at the main gate of the church – the perpetrators were trying to enter the compound,” National Police spokesman Argo Yuwono said.
A church security guard tried to prevent the motorbike from entering when the blast occurred, they said.
One eyewitness described hearing two “very strong” explosions and then seeing plumes of smoke at the scene.
“There were several injured people on the street. I helped one woman…who was wounded and covered in blood,” Yosi, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told AFP.
“Her grandchild was also injured. There were body parts everywhere.”
It was not clear if the victims’ wounds were life-threatening.
“We were finishing the service and people were going home when it happened,” Pastor Wilhelmus Tulak told reporters.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he “strongly condemned this act of terror”.
“Terrorism is a crime against humanity,” Widodo said.
“I call on everyone to fight against terror and radicalism, which go against religious values.”
Amnesty International said the bombing showed “complete contempt” for human rights.
The attack follows the arrest in recent months of dozens of militants suspected of planning terror attacks, according to Indonesia’s counter-terror squad.
In 2018, a dozen people were killed when a family of suicide bombers blew themselves up at churches during Sunday services in Indonesia’s second-biggest city Surabaya.
The family were also linked to local extremist network Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.
JAD has not claimed responsibility for Sunday’s attack. — AFP
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