Bali Bombing Memorial

On the night of 12 October 2002, two bombs exploded in the heart of Kuta’s nightlife district: one inside Paddy’s Pub, and a much larger car bomb moments later outside the Sari Club across Jalan Legian. A third, smaller device was set off near the US consulate in Denpasar. The attacks killed 202 people, Indonesians and visitors from more than 20 countries. Australians were the largest single group, and many Balinese who worked in the area were among the dead and injured. Three years later, in October 2005, suicide bombings in Kuta and Jimbaran killed 20 more people.

After Balinese Hindu purification ceremonies on the site, the memorial was unveiled in 2004 on Jalan Legian, where the attacks took place. It is a carved stone monument in Balinese style set on a small plaza, with marble panels listing the names and nationalities of the victims. It is lit at night, and flowers and wreaths are left here, especially on 12 October each year, when survivors, families and local people gather for remembrance services.

The memorial stands in the middle of a busy street lined with bars and shops, and for many families it is a place of mourning. Visit with respect: keep voices down, don’t climb on the structure or sit on the steps, and be thoughtful with photographs. Early morning is the quietest time to read the names.

The memorial is on Jalan Legian at its junction with Poppies Lane II in central Kuta, an easy walk from anywhere in Kuta or southern Legian.