Heavy Traffic in Depok After Bomb Scare
Jakarta. Heavy traffic congestion ensued after police responded to a bomb scare in front of a shopping mall in Depok, West Java, on Monday morning (03/07).
The situation unfolded at around 10.00 a.m. when police received a report about an abandoned backpack in front of ITC Depok in Jalan Margonda Raya.
Rahman, the 35-year-old witness who alerted the police, told BeritaSatu.com that he saw two unidentified persons, who came from the Depok bus terminal, run away after they put the backpack down.
Intrigued by their suspicious behavior, he reported the incident to police, who immediately responded by clearing the area and dispatching the bomb squad, known as Gegana.
Traffic officers diverted all vehicles to the opposite carriageway of Jalan Margonda Raya by implementing a contraflow system.
Depok Police spokesman Comr. Adj. Ramhaningtias later told reporters that the bomb squad had confirmed that there was no threat and that the backpack only contained clothing.
Despite the situation having been resolved, traffic was backed up along Jalan Dewi Sartika and Jalan Margonda Raya for several hours afterwards.
The situation was further aggravated by large numbers of curious onlookers flocking to the area.
A passerby, who chose to only be identified as Lestari, said she was quite alarmed when seeing several bomb disposal officers in front of the shopping mall at lunchtime.
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