Ambon – Clashes between Christians and Muslims in Indonesia's troubled Ambon island killed 24 people, hospital sources said Wednesday.

They died in fighting between late Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, the hospital sources said, adding that most died of gunshot wounds. It brings the number killed in fighting there this week to at least 34.

Police and military officials were not available for immediate comment. About 800 marines arrived in Ambon city Wednesday afternoon and quickly tried to quell the rioting.

A local journalist said Wednesday's fighting between Christians and Muslims broke out in five different areas in Ambon city, about 1,440 miles east of Jakarta. Sporadic fighting were also reported in villages just outside the city. "They virtually used every weapon available, machetes, spears, bows and arrows – even crude bombs," said the journalist.

Ambon island lies at the center of the Moluccas, or spice islands, which have been the scene of Indonesia's worst religious violence in decades. Fighting in the islands has killed around 400 people this year.