A tribute to the victims
Published/Last edited on 11th July, 2017.
On October 12, 2002, three terrorist bombs were detonated in Bali. This memorial pays tribute to the 202 victims of the devastating attacks.
The Saturday was just another party night in Kuta. It was the end of the football season in Australia and lots of Australians were on end-of-season tours and out for a bit of fun. European tourists were among the revellers too, making the most of an extended summer break. Taxi drivers and sellers were milling around on the streets, trying to make a buck. Just as Kuta’s nightclubs were reaching full capacity at around 23:00, a series of bombs ripped though the crowds, killing and maiming hundreds of partygoers and bystanders in a vicious attack. The effect was catastrophic and Bali’s medical facilities were quickly overwhelmed. Many people suffered horrifying burns and some of the worst treated were air-evacuated to Darwin and Perth in Australia for further care.
The incident was to have a devastating effect on Bali’s (and the rest of Indonesia’s) tourist industry, critically damaging Bali’s reputation as safe and peaceful haven to let your hair down.
Two bombs were detonated in Kuta. The first was in a backpack carried by a suicide bomber into popular Paddy’s Bar, causing many to flee into the street outside where, seconds later, a powerful car bomb was exploded in front of the Sari Club. The bomb left a crater one metre deep and blew out windows. The bomb at Paddy’s ignited gas bottles, causing an intense fireball and more casualties. A third bomb was set off outside the US consulate in Denpasar which caused only minor damage, but sent a blatant message: It was packed with ... Travelfish members only (Full text is around 800 words.)
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Address: Jalan Legian near Poppies II, Kuta
Coordinates (for GPS): 115º10'27.48" E, 8º43'2.28" S
See position in Apple or Google Maps: Apple Maps | Google Maps
Reviewed by
Sally Arnold
Sally spent twelve years leading tourists around Indonesia and Malaysia where she collected a lot of stuff. She once carried a 40kg rug overland across Java. Her house has been described as a cross between a museum and a library. Fuelled by coffee, she can often be found riding her bike or petting stray cats. Sally believes travel is the key to world peace.