Farouk Arnaz – Police on Tuesday raised the death toll of Sunday's clash in Ambon to seven.

"According to our latest data at 7 a.m. this morning, we found out that seven people were dead and 65 suffered from minor injuries. From this 65, two were police officers," Insp. Gen. Anton Bachrul Alam said.

He said that 13 National Police investigators were dispatched to the scene of the deadly brawl on Monday to look for clues and possible suspects.

"[We will] investigate the mastermind that sent the provocative SMS in Ambon and the cause of the victims' deaths since some of them suffered from gunshot wounds," he said.

Anton also gave his thanks to all residents of Ambon who stayed clear of the fight, and gave an apology in advance for anybody subjected to a body search by security officers.

Police said they would be conducting checks on residents and visitors to prevent the smuggling of weapons into and around the city.

The riot was sparked by a traffic accident involving a motorcycle taxi driver who died on the way to the hospital.

However, an SMS circulated saying that the driver had been attacked and killed. Word of mouth prompted a violent clash between two groups, one of which is believed to include the man's family, shortly after his funeral took place on Sunday.

Many of the victims were injured by thrown rocks but the fatalities resulted from gunshot wounds, according to Dr. Ita Sabrina of Dr. M. Haulussy Public Hospital. The mob also vandalized a number of buildings and vehicles.