2002 Bali bombings facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 2002 Bali bombings
The Bali Bombing memorial stands where Paddy's Pub once was, across from the former Sari Club.
Location	Bali, Indonesia
Coordinates	8°43′02″S 115°10′27″E / 8.71722°S 115.17417°E / -8.71722; 115.17417
Date	12 October 2002 (2002-10-12) 11:05 p.m. Central Indonesia Standard Time (UTC+08:00)
Attack type	Bombings, car bombing, terrorist attack
Weapon(s)	Van bomb, explosive belt, Improvised explosive device
Deaths	202
Injured	209
Perpetrator(s)	Jemaah Islamiyah Al-Qaeda

On October 12, 2002, a series of terrible bombings happened in the busy tourist area of Kuta on the Indonesian island of Bali. These attacks tragically killed 202 people and injured 209 others. It was the worst act of terrorism in Indonesia's history.

Many people from different countries were among the victims. This included 151 Westerners, 38 local Indonesians, and 10 people from other nations. Three victims were never identified.

Investigators found that members of Jemaah Islamiyah, an Islamist group, were responsible. Several individuals were later found guilty for their roles in the bombings. The attacks involved three bombs: one worn by an attacker, a large bomb hidden in a car, and a smaller device. The two larger bombs exploded near popular nightclubs in Kuta. The smaller bomb went off outside the United States consulate in Denpasar, causing only minor damage.

Over the years, many of those involved were caught. For example, Azahari Husin, a skilled bomb-maker, was killed in a police raid in 2005. Three key figures, Amrozi bin Nurhasyim, Imam Samudra, and Mukhlas, faced the highest penalty in 2008. In 2010, Dulmatin, another person believed to have helped with the bombs, was killed in a shootout with police.

Understanding the Attack in Bali

A Mitsubishi L300 van, similar to the one used in the car bombing.

The attacks began at 11:05 p.m. on October 12, 2002. An attacker inside Paddy's Pub set off an explosive vest. This caused many people to run out into the street, some with injuries. Just twenty seconds later, a powerful bomb hidden in a Mitsubishi van exploded. This second, larger bomb was detonated by another attacker outside the Sari Club, a well-known open-air bar across from Paddy's Pub.

These bombings happened during a very busy time for tourists in Kuta Beach. Many Australian sports teams were on their annual end-of-season holidays.

The explosions caused huge damage to the area. Buildings nearby were destroyed, and windows shattered several blocks away. The car bomb left a crater about 1 meter (3 feet) deep in the ground.

Helping the Injured Victims

The local Sanglah Hospital was not prepared for such a large disaster. It quickly became overwhelmed with the many injured people, especially those with severe burns. So many people were hurt that some had to be placed in hotel swimming pools near the explosion site. This helped to ease the pain of their burns. Many victims needed to be flown long distances for special burn treatment. They went to cities like Darwin (1,800 km or 1,100 miles away) and Perth (2,600 km or 1,600 miles away).

A smaller bomb also exploded outside the U.S. consulate in Denpasar. It caused minor injuries to one person and very little property damage. This bomb reportedly exploded shortly before the two larger bombs in Kuta.

How the Bombers Carried Out the Attack

Investigators were able to piece together the attackers' actions. They learned that some individuals bought a new motorbike and a van. The motorbike was used to plant the small bomb outside the U.S. Consulate. Then, two attackers drove the van with the main bombs to the nightclub area. One attacker went into Paddy's Pub with an explosive vest. The other drove the van a short distance to the Sari Club and detonated the vehicle bomb.

Total fatalities	202
Fatalities by nationality (Source: SBS News Australia)
Nationality	Deaths
Australia	88
Indonesia	38
United Kingdom	23
United States	7
Germany	6
Sweden	5
France	4
Netherlands	4
Denmark	3
Switzerland	3
New Zealand	2
Brazil	2
Canada	2
Japan	2
South Africa	2
South Korea	2
Italy	1
Ecuador	1
Greece	1
Poland	1
Portugal	1
Taiwan	1
Unknown	3
Fatalities by age (Source: Sydney Morning Herald)
Age	Deaths
Under 21	20
21–30	77
31–40	73
Over 40	28
Unknown	4

The final count of those who died was 202. Most were Western tourists and holiday-makers in their 20s and 30s. They were either inside or near Paddy's Pub or the Sari Club. Many Balinese Indonesians who worked or lived nearby, or were just passing by, also lost their lives. Hundreds more suffered terrible burns and other injuries. The largest group of victims were Australian tourists, with 88 fatalities. Two days after the attack, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1438. This resolution strongly condemned the attack as a threat to global peace and safety.

Acts of Heroism and Bravery

After the bombings, many people showed incredible bravery. They helped others despite the danger. Several of these heroes received official recognition for their actions.

Timothy Britten, a police officer from Western Australia, and Richard Joyes were awarded the Cross of Valour. This is Australia's highest civilian honor. They bravely entered the burning Sari Club to rescue a badly injured woman. They made three attempts to save her. After rescuing her, they continued to search for other survivors. They did this even as the flames grew hotter and more explosions happened. Both men knew they could be hurt or even killed.

Other brave individuals also received awards. Natalie Goold went back into a burning building to save her friend. Robert Meredith helped about ten survivors escape over a wall. Lauren Munro pulled an injured woman from under roof beams and helped fight the fire. Ben Clohessy also rescued others after regaining consciousness. These individuals received the Star of Courage for their actions.

Hanabeth Luke was in the Sari Club when the second bomb exploded. She escaped and then helped a badly injured man named Tom Singer get away from a burning car. She supported him as he walked to safety.

Kusitino 'Kossy' Halemai, who managed a hotel in Kuta, sheltered survivors. Richard and Gilana Poore set up a first-aid area in the hotel lobby. They also helped connect families with loved ones. Later, they brought medical supplies and nurses back to Bali. These three received the Medal of the Order of Australia. James Parkinson, an emergency nurse, also received this medal for his work at the hospital.

The Bombs Used

The large bomb in the Mitsubishi L300 van was initially thought to be made of C4, a military explosive. However, investigators found it was made from potassium chlorate, aluminum powder, and sulfur. For the Sari Club bomb, the attackers used 12 plastic filing cabinets filled with this explosive mixture. Each cabinet also had a TNT booster. These were all connected by a long detonating cord. The total weight of the van bomb was about 1,020 kilograms (2,250 pounds). The explosion created a large, very hot blast.

Finding Those Responsible

The group believed to be behind the bombings was Jemaah Islamiyah, an Islamist group. It was reportedly led by a cleric named Abu Bakar Bashir. A week after the attacks, a message was released, supposedly from Osama bin Laden. This message linked the Bali bombings to support for the United States' war on terror and Australia's role in the liberation of Timor-Leste.

Former FBI agent Ali Soufan later confirmed that Al-Qaeda had helped fund the attack. One of the attackers, Riduan Isamuddin, admitted that Al-Qaeda sent him money to fund the bombings.

Capturing the Suspects

Aris Munandar, also known as Sheik Aris, was a Jemaah Islamiyah associate. He was believed to have helped Amrozi get some of the explosives. Munandar is still at large.

The arrest of Amrozi was a big breakthrough. Police found him asleep in a house. He reportedly laughed and seemed surprised they found him. Officers seized his mobile phone, which was very important evidence. They also found bomb-making chemicals and receipts at his workshop. Soil samples from his home showed traces of chemicals used in the Sari Club bomb. Police also found speeches by Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakar Bashir. These speeches encouraged a struggle for their beliefs. Amrozi then named six other people involved in the bombing. His phone records helped investigators find and arrest more suspects.

Indonesian police continued to search for others involved. In 2005, they arrested 24 more people. These individuals were suspected of being involved in the Bali attacks and a 2003 bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Jakarta.

In 2007, Abu Dujana, who might have led a terrorist group in Bali, was captured. Umar Patek was arrested in Pakistan in 2011. The U.S. government had offered a large reward for his capture. Another suspect, Zulkarnaen, was arrested in 2020. He was believed to have organized many Jemaah Islamiyah incidents.

Legal Actions and Accountability

After the bombings, Indonesian authorities worked to bring those responsible to justice. Many individuals were arrested, tried, and convicted for their roles in the attacks.

Trials and Convictions

In April 2003, Amrozi bin Haji Nurhasyim was charged with buying the explosives and the van used in the bombings. He was found guilty and faced the highest penalty. Imam Samudra, another participant, also faced the highest penalty. Amrozi's brother, Ali Imron, who expressed regret, received a life sentence. A fourth accused, Ali Ghufron, was also found guilty and faced the highest penalty. Ali Ghufron told police he was a leader in Jemaah Islamiyah and ordered the Bali bombings. He also said that Riduan Isamuddin, known as Hambali, provided the money for the attacks, likely from Al-Qaeda.

Abu Bakar Bashir, who was considered a spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, was also charged. He was found guilty of conspiracy related to the 2002 Bali attacks and received a prison sentence.

Final Penalties for Perpetrators

On November 9, 2008, the three men convicted of carrying out the main bombings—Imam Samudra, Amrozi Nurhasyim, and Ali Ghufron—faced the highest penalty for their crimes. Their families tried to appeal the sentences, but the courts denied these requests.

Remembering the Victims

The Bali bombings left a lasting impact, but also inspired many memorials around the world. These memorials help people remember the victims and the bravery shown during and after the attacks.

Bali Memorials

A list of victims at the Bali memorial.

The bombing site and memorial in September 2007.

A permanent memorial was built where Paddy's Pub once stood on Legian Street. It is made of carved stone with a large marble plaque. This plaque lists the names and nationalities of everyone who died. It is surrounded by the flags of the victims' countries. The memorial is well-kept and lit up at night.

The memorial was officially opened on October 12, 2004, two years after the attack. The ceremony included a Balinese Hindu ritual. Mourners could lay flowers and other offerings.

The people of Kuta also started an annual event called "Kuta Karnival — A Celebration of Life." This nine-day event helps restore Bali's image. It includes traditional art, dances, sports, and food displays along the beach. The Karnival has grown into a major tourism event. It shows the world the strong spirit of the local community despite the attacks.

Memorials in Australia

• Melbourne: In Lincoln Square, Melbourne, there is a memorial for the 88 Australians who died. It features 88 water jets in a fountain. At night, lights represent the victims. On October 12 each year, the fountain becomes a still reflecting pool.
• Jason McCartney: Jason McCartney, an Australian Rules Football player, was a survivor. He suffered severe burns while helping others. After a long recovery, he returned to play one final game in 2003. He wore numbers on his jersey representing the Australian and total victims. His comeback became an inspiring story.
• Perth: A memorial in Kings Park lists the victims from Western Australia. It is designed to frame the sun's rays at dawn on October 12 each year.
• Gold Coast: An Indonesian-style stone memorial is in Allambe Memorial Park at Nerang. A bronze plaque lists the names of the 88 Australian victims. An annual service is held there.
• Sydney: On the northern side of Coogee Beach, a memorial features three bronze shapes. They look like bowed figures supporting each other. This memorial honors 20 local victims. Another memorial, called The Seed, is in Cronulla. It honors seven local victims. In Ulladulla, a youth center was built to remember two local victims, Craig Dunn and Danny Lewis.
• Canberra: A granite cube serves as a memorial in the Eastern Formal Gardens of Parliament House.

International Memorials

• London: On the fourth anniversary, a memorial was unveiled in London. It features a 1.5-meter marble globe with 202 doves carved into it. This represents the victims from 21 countries. The names of all 202 victims are on a curved stone wall behind the globe.
• Hong Kong: In 2005, two marble plaques were unveiled at the Hong Kong Football Club. They remember club members who died in the bombings.
• Singapore: The Rugby Section of the Singapore Cricket Club holds a dawn memorial service every year. This honors the eight players the club lost. A permanent memorial is also inside the club's main lounge.
• Vietnam: A remembrance garden was built at the International School Ho Chi Minh City. It commemorates teachers from the school who were killed.

See also

In Spanish: Atentados de Bali de 2002 para niños