Mourners pay tribute to 202 killed in 2002 Bali bombings

Luh De Suriyani and Joan Tanamal
2022.10.12
Kuta, Indonesia
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Mourners hold candles as they mark the 20th anniversary of the deadly Bali bombings in Kuta, Indonesia, Oct. 12, 2022. [Luh De Suriyani/BenarNews]

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Australian government officials pay tribute at a monument to attack victims in Kuta, Bali, Oct. 12, 2022. [Luh De Suriyani/BenarNews]

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Mourners look at floral tributes and flags at the monument to those killed in the 2002 Bali bombings, Oct. 12, 2022. [Joan Tanamal/BenarNews]

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Mourners pay tribute to Australian Anthony Stewart, one of the bombing victims, Oct. 12, 2022. [Joan Tanamal/BenarNews]

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A mourner prays in front of the monument to victims of the 2002 bombings in Kuta, Bali, Oct. 12, 2022. [Joan Tanamal/BenarNews]

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A child lights a candle in front of a plaque containing the names of the 2002 bombings victims, Oct. 12, 2022. [Joan Tanamal/BenarNews]

Hundreds gathered in a beach town in southern Bali late Wednesday to light candles in honor of people killed in Indonesia’s worst-ever terror attack exactly 20 years ago.

Many shed tears at the monument erected at ground zero of the Oct. 12, 2002 attack. Three bombs – two at busy nightspots, Sari Club and Paddy’s Bar, and one in front of the American consulate – shattered the late-night atmosphere.

On Wednesday, National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo joined the mourners, including Australians who traveled to pay tribute to their loved ones. Their nation lost 88 of the 202 people killed.

While he was not in Bali, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo sent a video message.

“There is no place for terrorism. Keep calm, keep the unity and be careful," Jokowi said in his message.

John Howard, who served as Australian prime minister at the time of the attack, also delivered a video message. He said he was touched by cooperation between Indonesian and Australian police investigating the attack.

Ahead of the anniversary, survivors and relatives of victims expressed concern that Umar Patek, sentenced to 20 years for helping build bombs for the attack, could soon be released from prison because of sentence reductions linked to good behavior.

Three other militants linked to the bombings were executed in 2008 following their 2003 convictions.

 

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