Bali bomb victims cremated

Bali bomb victims cremated

Foreigners joined in with the Hindu service to pay their respects

The remains of many of the victims of last October's Bali bomb attack, which killed 202 people, have been cremated in a solemn ceremony on the Indonesian island.

Balinese and foreign diplomats joined tourists and local people in prayer at a crematorium close to the resort area of Nusa Dua.

In a sign of respect for the victims, simple offerings of flowers and bamboo leaves were burnt along with the body parts.

The relatives of those killed had given permission for the cremation and in accordance with local Hindu customs the ashes will be scattered on the sea at nearby Sanur beach later on Saturday.

The remains, mostly from Westerners, were collected at the scene of the blast which occurred on 12 October 2002.

It's important to be here to allow the next of kin to know that we care for them in an emotionally, physical and spiritual sense

Australian Federal Police chaplain David Cockram

Despite extensive forensic efforts to identify the 185 body parts, the majority were too badly burnt or too small to be successfully identified - even using DNA techniques.

And even though some of the remains, those of two Americans, two South Koreans, one Swede, one French, one Canadian and one Polish victim, had been identified, their families agreed to have them cremated on Bali.

None of the victims' relatives were at the service, which was attended by about 100 people.

Prayers given

The ceremony was led by a Hindu priest, who lit fires beneath the two coffins containing the remains.

Bali has a Hindu majority, unlike the rest of Indonesia which is largely Muslim.

Australian Federal Police chaplain David Cockram said he attended the service and offered prayers to ensure there was a Christian element to the funeral.

"It's important to be here to allow the next of kin to know that we care for them in an emotionally, physical and spiritual sense," he said.

The ashes will later be scattered on the sea at a local beach

Foreign diplomats, including representatives from the Australian and American consuls, also attended.

There are still about 45 body parts remaining at Bali's Sanglah hospital - officials are still waiting for permission from foreign embassies to cremate them.

In all, nationals from 21 countries, including Indonesia, were among those killed in the two blasts, which ripped through a busy nightclub area in the island's popular Kuta district.

Some governments have blamed the attacks on Jemaah Islamiah, a pan-Asian network of Muslim extremists.