ATM blasts in Makassar

A Bank Mandiri automated teller machine (ATM) on Jl. Kakatua, Makassar, South Sulawesi, exploded Wednesday; the perpetrators have yet to be identified.

The explosion destroyed the ceiling and glass of the ATM room. However, the machine remained in one piece.

The blast, which occurred at 1 a.m. local time, shocked residents living near the ATM.

Luis Markus, 20, a witness, said he initially thought the sound of the blast came from a car accident. “I looked out of my window and saw two men riding away from the ATM on a motorcycle. Shortly after that, the explosion took place,” he said.

South Sulawesi Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Chevy Ahmad Sopari said that the perpetrators used a homemade, small-explosive bomb. “We have found evidence indicating that it was a homemade bomb, including a plastic bottle allegedly used as the bomb’s casing” he said.

He said that police took the materials found at the location to the forensic laboratory.

Chevy said the machine’s CCTV captured a man coming into the ATM room and placing a bottle inside, which turned out to be the homemade bomb. He burned the bottle and ran away shortly after.

“We’re trying to identify the perpetrator. We hope to find him soon,” he said.

Police have yet to reveal the real motive of the attack. However, Chevy said that the perpetrator allegedly committed the act to spread fear among residents. “Should he have wanted the money, he would have broken the machine,” he said. (lfr)