INDONESIA: PADDY'S BAR: PUB DESTROYED BY FIRST BALI BOMB RE-OPENS AFTER BEING TOTALLY REBUILT.

Record ID: 694935

  • Title: INDONESIA: PADDY'S BAR: PUB DESTROYED BY FIRST BALI BOMB RE-OPENS AFTER BEING TOTALLY REBUILT.
  • Date: 4th August 2003
  • Summary: (W3), BALI, INDONESIA 2003 (FILE - OCTOBER 12, 2002) (REUTERS) GV: MASSIVE FIRE BURNING AFTER BOMBING
  • Embargoed: 19th August 2003 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Indonesia
  • Country: Indonesia
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVABBUEJK2WN2MYZLOY7EGVPQ5DJ
  • Story Text: Paddy's Bar in Bali -- the site of a bombing in 2002 which killed more than 200 people -- has re-opened just down the street from the original bar Paddy's bar, which was the target of the first of two bombs detonated on the Indonesian island of Bali on October 12, 2002, killing more than 200 mostly western revellers has reopened at a location just down the street from the original bar.
    Thirsty patrons flocked to the new Paddy's bar on Sunday night (August 3) with the horrors of October 12, 2002 an ever-present memory.
    "You feel something inside. You do get upset. You've got a lump in your throat just being here," said Australian tourist Jock Robins.
    Fellow tourist Damien Bush admitted to being a "bit scared but alright".
    The Australian government has had a travel warning in place for Indonesia since the bombing which has contributed to a dramatic slump in Bali's once-booming tourist trade.
    On the night of the Bali bombings a suicide bomber, wearing an explosives-packed vest, walked into the original Paddy's bar and detonated his bomb. As patrons fled the explosion in Paddy's bar and patrons across the street at the Sari Club rushed out to have a look - a second, more powerful truck bomb exploded killing 202 people, mostly Australian tourists.
    Several Muslim militants have been arrested in connection with the attack - some of whom are on trial in a nearby courthouse.
    The re-opening of Paddy's bar is sure to be an emotional moment for many, and a sign of the resilience of Bali for many more, but the general manager of the new Paddy's bar has a more pragmatic view.
    "We want to open this pub because I don't wanna be - the staff is whining all the time why they're not working,"
    said I Gusti Ketut Nurdiada.
    Nurdiada said that the current festivities at the new Paddy's were just a "soft opening" and the grand opening was slated for the anniversary of the bombing in October.
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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