Ambon – Gunmen shot dead nine Christians travelling in a boat in the riot-torn eastern Indonesian city of Ambon, residents and hospital sources said Wednesday. Six women and three men were killed Tuesday, a nurse at the Halong navy hospital told AFP.

"The bodies of the victims have been claimed by their relatives, we're still treating one woman for gunshot wounds," said the nurse, who declined to be named. All nine victims were Christians, a local journalist said, adding that speedboat services between two localities had been suspended.

Ambon's sectarian violence has often taken place at sea. On December 12, an explosion rocked a commercial boat carrying Christians in the same bay, killing seven people. Last month gunmen in a speedboat shot dead three passengers in another boat.