Australian War Memorial remembers Bali bombings with new display

12 October 2022

As the 20th anniversary of the Bali bombings passes, a new photographic display detailing the Australian response to the terrorist attack has opened at the Australian War Memorial.

On 12 October 2002, blasts ripped through the popular tourist area of Kuta in Bali, Indonesia – two busy nightspots, and another in front of the American consulate. The explosions killed 204 people, including the two perpetrators and 88 Australians, wounding many more.

This image from 12 October 2002 shows the explosion in a popular nightclub in the tourist district of Kuta in Bali which killed at least 25 people, including 10 foreigners. More than 125 victims were rushed to hospital, 15km from the blast site in Denpasar. Credit: STR/AFP via Getty Images/Supplied

“The Bali bombings will be remembered as the date that terrorism hit home,” Australian War Memorial Director Matt Anderson said.

“On this anniversary we remember those we lost, their families, the survivors and the responders.”

The Royal Australian Air Force evacuated critically injured people out of Indonesia as part of Operation Bali Assist – the largest Australian aeromedical evacuation since the Vietnam War.

In addition, the Australian Federal Police were invited to assist the Indonesian National Police and played a key role in investigation breakthroughs that led to the arrest, trial and execution of some of the perpetrators.

Extremist Islamist group, Jemah Islamiyah, was ultimately found responsible for the bombings, reportedly financed by Al-Qaeda, in retaliation for Australia and other Western nations’ support of the United States’ War on Terror.

Now, a display detailing the aftermath, co-curated with the Australian Federal Police Museum, is dedicated to the victims of the 2002 Bali bombings and the government agencies, including the Australian Defence Force and Consular Officers who put themselves in harm’s way in the immediate aftermath of the bombing, and the Australian Federal Police, who sought justice for victims and their families.

The exhibition includes images taken by AFP members in the aftermath of the attack, including images taken inside Paddy’s Bar which show where AFP investigators were able to source several pieces of tartan fabric and other matter that made up the explosive vest used in the first detonation.

Visitors just need a free ticket to the Australian War Memorial to see the display, which is on show until 20 November 2022.