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Five die in new Asia bombings
By Zoe Morris in Bali, Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 17.10.02At least five people were killed and more than 50 wounded when two bombs exploded in a shopping mall in the Philippines today.
Security sources said they suspected a Muslim fundamentalist terror group linked directly to al Qaeda.
The new attack came as the Australian government warned its citizens to get out of Indonesia immediately following "disturbing" new intelligence reports.
The explosions happened amid heightened security across the Philippines after the Bali attack last weekend which killed more than 180 people.
No group has yet claimed responsibility but officials said they suspected today's blasts in the southern city of Zamboanga were the work of the Muslim Abu Sayyaf guerrillas, who the US says have direct links with Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network.
The first blast was so powerful it hurled one man through a glass window, while another had his arms and legs blown off. At least 55 people were wounded.
Zamboanga Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat immediately blamed Muslim fundamentalists. She said: "They are the only ones who would do this."
Meanwhile, Australia today advised all its citizens still in Indonesia to leave immediately following what it called "disturbing new information".
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer alerted Australians to leave the country - or to abandon plans to travel there - following alarming intelligence reports. He said: "The decision to amend our travel advice is based on disturbing new information of generic threats to Australians and Australian interests in Indonesia.
"We now recommend that all Australians in Indonesia who are concerned about their security should consider departure. In particular, short-term visitors whose presence in Indonesia is non-essential should depart."
Mr Downer's statement urged Australians to exercise extreme caution, particularly in commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners such as clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreation events and tourist areas.
He said the government would also revise travel advice for some other South-east Asian countries to highlight the need for vigilance given "ongoing risks of terrorist activity".
Saturday's bombing in the Sari nightclub in Kuta killed more than 180 people, including up to 119 Australians-Thirty Australians are so far confirmed dead.
Lyndal Sachs, a foreign ministry spokeswoman, said: "We have been working closely with Australian Federal Police over there and there are now 119 people about who we have very serious concerns."
Another 113 seriously hurt Australians have been brought back to Australia by air force shuttle flights.
