GRS 225
CONFIDENTIAL
AKK. Os
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. DE
24 FER19
DESK OFFICER
PA
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INDEX
FM HONG KONG 2309307 FEBRUARY 81
TO PRIORITY F C O
TELEGRAM NUMBER 186 OF 23 FEBRUARY
INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON
ROUTINE PEKING
BOMB INCIDENT
AW 342
Pd.
1. ON THE AFTERNOON OF 21 FEBRUARY, A HOME MADE BOMB WENT OFF OUTSIDE THE ORIENTAL ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOP ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE OCEAN TERMINAL, WHICH IS IN TSIM SHA TSUI NEAR THE KOWLOON TERMINAL OF THE STAR FERRY. AS IS USUAL ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON, THE TERMINAL WAS CROWDED WITH SHOPPERS AND 23 PERSONS WERE INJURED AND TAKEN TO HOSPITAL. 16 WERE DISCHARGED AFTER TREATMENT AND 7 ARE STILL THERE, NONE OF THEM IN A SERIOUS CONDITION. 6 SHOPS SUFFERED DAMAGE, MAINLY BROKEN WINDOWS.
2. THE BOMB WAS A RELATIVELY SMALL HOME MADE ONE, BELIEVED TO HAVE CONSISTED OF 4 6 OZ OF EXPLOSIVE WITH A SLOW BURNING
FUSE.
3. THE MOTIVE IS AT PRESENT UNKNOWN. IT HAS COME TO LIGHT THAT A POSSIBLE BOMB THREAT HAD BEEN MADE AGAINST A NEIGHBOURING SHOP ON THE PREVIOUS DAY AND THIS IS BEING INVESTIGATED. THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THE ATTACK HAD POLITICAL OR TERRORIST MOTIVES. IT MAY HAVE BEEN PROMPTED BY A PERSONAL GRUDGE OR AS A PRELIMINARY TO EXTORTION. ENQUIRIES ARE CONTINUING.
4. THE EXPLOSION CAUSED THE LARGEST NUMBER OF INJURIES FROM ANY SUCH INCIDENT SINCE 1967. IT HAS NATURALLY ATTRACTED HEADLINES IN THE PRESS AND BEEN THE SUBJECT OF SOME LEADERS, BUT AROUSED NO GREAT ALARM.
MACLEHOSE
MINIMAL
MAED
HK & GD
NEWS D
[THIS TELEGRAM WAS NOT ADVANCED]
COPIES TO
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE, LONDON
FED
CONFIDENTIAL