A powerful explosion tore through a chemical laboratory in
Indonesia's capital yesterday, ripping the roof off a nearby school
building and injuring at least 22 people, officials said.
The wounded were mostly students who were taking a morning test
in the school, officials said. Witnesses said at least three
classrooms were destroyed.
The accidental blast was triggered by chemicals stored in the
laboratory, which is located on the grounds of the country's Food
and Drug Agency, Jakarta police chief Maj. Firman Gani said. The
explosion also wrecked the laboratory.
Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Anton Bachrul Alam initially said
one person died in the blast. He later said he had been
misinformed, and that the victim was in a critical condition in a
Jakarta hospital.
The explosion in central Jakarta panicked nearby residents. The
city in recent years has seen a series of bomb attacks, mostly
blamed on the al-Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiyah terror group.
Authorities have warned that the group is plotting more
attacks.
(Chinadaily.com.cn via agencies, January 27, 2006)
