Bomb blast kills father and son, 2 others in critical condition

A suspected bomb blast at LDA area, Upper Betikama in east Honiara has killed two people, a father and his son who is a grade five student.

Unexploded WW II bombs unearthed in Honiara. Photo Supplied.

The father died during the blast at around 7pm and his son died at around 9pm tonight at the National Referral Hospital Emergency department in Honiara.

The wife of the deceased father, and their other son – a form 3 student also sustained serious injuries from the blast and are fighting for their lives at the hospital.

The blast has also caused total deafness on two other men who are also currently seeking medical attention at the hospital.

SIBC News was reliably informed by a resident at the blast site who is also currently at the Hospital’s Emergency department.

The family placed crabs on a fire  and were telling stories as they wait for the crabs to cook. The bomb suddenly exploded from beneath the fire and killed the father on the spot.

The others managed to crawl out with the little strength they have, after the blast, our source said.

“We were returning from town and were some distance away from the blast site when suddenly the bomb exploded. It shook the ground heavily that we were standing there, trembling with fear.

“We could hear nothing as the blast was so loud, although we were some distance far away,” the LDA resident told SIBC News.

He said Police were rushed to the scene and condoned the blast site. The father was transported to the hospital by St John Ambulance while the deceased child was rushed in by a car.

The family is from Guadalcanal Province.

Police could not be reached tonight for comments.

The blast was said to be from explosive remnants of the World War II which remained in Guadalcanal after the war more than 70 years ago.