Australia flying families to Bali for bomb anniversary

Australian Prime Minister John Howard will travel to the Indonesian island of Bali for the first anniversary of the terror bombings that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.

The government will also pay for 1,500 people – survivors and families of the victims – to return to Bali for the October 12 anniversary, Mr Howard said in a radio interview.

“I would expect there to be a very significant outpouring of public emotion on the occasion and a proper dignified observance is entirely appropriate,” he said.

The Bali attack, blamed on members of the al-Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiyah group, was the world’s deadliest terrorist strike since September 11. Two bombs were detonated in bars packed with foreign travellers in the tourist region of Kuta. Many of the victims were burned beyond recognition in fires sparked by the blasts.

A memorial service will also be held in the Australian capital, Canberra, later in the week of the anniversary.

“There will be some people that will not be able to go to Bali or may not want to go to Bali because they may find it too harrowing to actually go to where their loved ones were killed,” Mr Howard said.

A string of suspects is currently standing trial in the Balinese capital, Denpasar, for their alleged involvement in the atrocity. They face the death penalty if convicted.