As many in Australian mark the 20th anniversary of the Bali bombings, a new photographic display detailing the Australian response to the terrorist attack will be on show at the Australian War Memorial.
On 12 October 2002, two blasts ripped through the popular tourist area of Kuta in Bali, Indonesia – two in busy nightspots, and another in front of the American consulate. The explosions killed 204 people, including two perpetrators and 88 Australians, and wounded many more.
“The Bali bombings will be remembered as the date that terrorism hit home,” Australian War Memorial Director, Matt Anderson, said.
“On this anniversary we remember those we lost, their families, the survivors and the responders.”
The Royal Australian Air Force evacuated critically injured people out of Indonesia as part of Operation Bali Assist – the largest Australian aeromedical evacuation since the Vietnam War.
The Australian Federal Police were invited to assist the Indonesian ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Police and played a key role in investigation breakthroughs that led to the arrest, trial and execution of some of the perpetrators.
Extremist Islamist group, Jemah Islamiyah, were responsible for the bombings, reportedly financed by Al-Qaeda, in retaliation for Australia and other Western nations’ support of the United States’ War on Terror.
A display detailing the aftermath, co-curated with the Australian Federal Police Museum, is dedicated to the victims of the 2002 Bali bombings and the government agencies, including the Australian Defence Force and Consular Officers who put themselves in harm’s way in the immediate aftermath of the bombing, and the Australian Federal Police, who sought justice for victims and their families.
The AFP formed expert investigative and forensic teams, and victim identification, media and family liaison units, to assist in the response.
The exhibition includes images in the aftermath of the attack, including a photograph of former Prime Minister John Howard inspecting the site of the bombing.
Images taken inside Paddy’s Bar, below the seat of the first explosion, show where Australian Federal Police investigators were able to source several pieces of tartan fabric and other matter that made up the explosive vest used in the first detonation.
Visitors will need a free ticket to the Australian War Memorial to see this display, which will be on show until 20 November 2022.
