A bomb packed with nails exploded in a crowded market ahead of New Year celebrations in eastern Indonesia on Saturday, killing seven people and wounding 53, police said. The blast in Palu, capital of volatile Central Sulawesi province, came after warnings of militant violence during the New Year season in Indonesia. Central Sulawesi police chief Brigadier General Oegroseno said by telephone from Palu: "Up until now, the number of victims is 60. From that 60, 53 are injured, seven have died." He said police were tightening security, especially in places of worship, and had closed the town gates to prevent any more violence. National police spokesman Major-General Paulus Purwoko said in Jakarta: "It was a homemade bomb. It was full of nails." The official Antara news agency said another bomb was found and defused near the market in Palu, 1,650 km (1,030 miles) northeast of Jakarta.
