Blast rocks church in Indonesia

JAKARTA, MAY 28. A blast rocked a Protestant church in the north Sumatran capital of Medan today, injuring at least 20 people, police and hospital staff there said.

A police officer said the blast that damaged the GKPI (Indonesian Protestant church) place of worship, was believed to have been a homemade bomb, but he said investigations were proceeding. A bomb disposal squad was also dispatched to the church, the spokesman said.

The Detikcom Online news service, however, reported that 23 people had been injured in the explosion and rushed to three nearby hospitals. The North Sumatra police chief, Brig.-General Sutanto was quoted by Detikcom as calling for calm from the church's congregation. ``I ask the congregation to remain calm, and not fall prey to actions which might only become new problems. Do not fall to provocation following this incident.''

- AFP

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Section  : International
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