Tentana (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Twenty-one people were killed when two bombs exploded right after each other in the marketplace of Tentana, a city with a strong Christian presence on Sulawesi island, around 60km from Poso.

The blasts seriously injured another 40 people who were immediately taken to the city hospital.

Official public security sources confirmed the incident. A municipal police officer said: "A group of investigators is already on the scene to investigate."

In the last five years, Tentana has been an arena of violent clashes between Christians and Muslims. Fighting started in 2000 and claimed around 1000 lives in less than a year. In 2001, the central government proclaimed a "ceasefire" and imposed army surveillance.

However, the government move did not bring great changes: today's bombs are the worst case of violence but already on 2 April two bombs went off in Poso, without however causing any damage.

• indonesia
• christians
• muslim
• bomb
• blast
• violence
• sulawesi