New Zealand family on way to Bali to identify body

8.00am

One New Zealander is reported to have died as a result of the Indonesian bomb blast and Foreign Affairs officials say they hold fears for two more.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman Brad Tattersfield told NZPA this morning one New Zealand family was travelling to Bali to identify a body.

"What we've had is a guy over there [who] had been to a morgue yesterday and identified the body of his friend. We haven't confirmed that, but it looks pretty likely.

"He is in touch with the family who is on the way over there."

Mr Tattersfield said the family had arranged their own travel.

"We still remain concerned about the safety of two others.

"Reports from friends and family suggest they haven't shown up. They were in the area at the time, but we haven't yet seen bodies," Mr Tattersfield said.

Indonesian authorities today reduced the official death toll from 216 to 183, including two Australians who died after leaving Bali.

Eight New Zealanders had been flown out of Bali, two to Singapore and six to Darwin. Foreign Affairs was now satisfied all those with serious injuries had been moved out of Bali.

Eleven New Zealanders had suffered some form of injury.

"The latest count is 658 accounted for and another 491 who are not accounted for," Mr Tattersfield said.

"Those numbers maybe a bit wobbly. We are getting lots of calls from people and there may be some doubling up."

He was not sure what had happened to New Zealanders flown to Darwin.

"They're making decisions on the ground as to where people should go. It's possible some people may have been shipped on to other hospitals in Australia."

Mr Tattersfield said he was unsure of the condition of Wellington man Dean McDougall, who was flown to Darwin last night with leg injuries.

Air force Squadron Leader Mike Going is the only other confirmed injured New Zealander evacuated from Bali. He was today in a satisfactory condition in Singapore General Hospital with burns to 10 to 15 per cent of his body.

He was holidaying in Bali after serving as a military observer in East Timor.

Mr Tattersfield said the ministry would not confirm Indonesian reports naming New Zealanders suspected injured or dead until it had satisfactory evidence.

Two extra ministry staff were flying into Bali today to join two others already on the ground.

"We are now on to the more gruesome task of going in and trying to identify bodies," he said.

New Zealand Consul to Indonesia Nigel Allardyce said from Bali this morning there were unconfirmed reports people had sighted the bodies of two dead New Zealanders.

"Representatives of the embassy itself have yet to view the bodies of New Zealanders that have died, but at the moment we are working on the basis two people may have died," he told National Radio.

Mr Allardyce said 180 bodies had been found by Indonesian officials, but only a small proportion had been identified.

"Many have been severely burnt beyond recognition and identification will presumably have to be made by forensic means."

Mr Allardyce said the ministry's staff were now entering phase two -- the identification of those who had died.

Embassy staff would assist the families of victims making their way to Bali once they had arrived. The ministry was also trying to help New Zealand holidaymakers wanting to leave the area find flights out.

"I think it would be fair to say the Balinese people themselves have been shocked and horrified, appalled by this attack. They are extremely apologetic and upset by this," Mr Allardyce said.

Indonesian officials reported today those killed in the Kuta Beach nightclub bomb blasts at 4.30am Sunday (NZDT) came from at least 12 countries.

The latest death toll was 183 -- 181 in Bali and two people who died on an emergency flight to Australia from injuries they had suffered.

- NZPA

Bali messages

New Zealand travellers in Bali, and their families in New Zealand, can post messages on our Bali Messages page.

Foreign Affairs advice to New Zealanders

* Travellers should defer travel to Bali

* NZers in Bali should keep a low profile and remain calm

* Foreign Affairs Hotline: 0800 432 111

Feature: Bali bomb blast

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