Ambon – The situation in Ambon, the provincial capital of Maluku, was tense on Tuesday morning following an explosion onboard the California passenger boat, which was in Ambon Bay sailing from Benteng seaport to Galala ferry port.

Thousands of people stormed the city's streets, burned the Ambon Municipal Legislative Council, threw stones at the gubernatorial office and then moved to the Maluku Provincial Legislative Council in protest against the local authorities' inaction in bringing peace to the conflict-prone province.

The city was immediately paralyzed, with shops and offices closed while on the streets only about 25 percent of public transportation vehicles operated besides becak (pedicabs).

There has yet to be an official explanation about the explosion onboard the California, which occurred at 9:15 a.m. local time. Witnesses said they believed a bomb had been planted on the vessel, while others said an explosive had been thrown at the boat from a passing speedboat.

The number of casualties in the incident has yet to be determined. Antara reported that one passenger, identified as Noce Limahelu, had died in the explosion, while The Jakarta Post interviewed people who claimed that dozens had suffered burns while others had been injured by shrapnel.

All the victims were rushed to the Navy's Halong Hospital and the Dr. Haulussy General Hospital.

Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina was not available for comment, but Maluku Provincial administration spokesman Cak Saimima said the governor was still in his office as of 11:40 a.m. local time.