U.S. bombings down 20 p.c.

Press, 14 December 1983, Page 54

U.S. bombings down 20 p.c.

NZPA-AP Washington Bombing incidents in the United States decreased 20 per cent during the first half of 1983, compared with the corresponding period in 1982, Mr William Webster, the director of the F. 8.1., announced.

The bombings took seven lives, the same number as last year’s half-yearly total, but actual and attempted bombings attributed by the F. 8.1. to terrorist groups fell from 19 during the first six months of 1982 to 14 for that period in 1983. Among the seven fatalities, six were the bombers themselves and one was an intended victim. Of the total 357 incidents this year, actual detonation occurred in 301. Explosive bombings were down 6 per cent and incendiary bombings declined 48 per cent.

The total included 281 explosive and 76 incendiary incidents, compared with a total of 446 incidents of both

kinds in 1982.

The F. 8.1. said 53 people ' were injured this year. Pro- r petty damage was estim- \ ated at more than $3B - million.

The western states recorded 112 bombing inci-’-dents; the . north-central "" states, 103; the southern states, 91; the north-eastern,/ states, 50; and Puerto Rico, one.

The most frequent targets were residences, commer- • cial sites, and office build- T ings, each accounting for 25 per cent of the incidents. 1 ,.' Other leading targets were . vehicles, accounting for 18. per cent, and schools, ac- - counting for 5 per cent. Seven attacks were directed - at law-enforcement offices*' or equipment. The 53 injuries represented an 18 per cent de--, cline from the previous year ~ and included 24 bombers, 14 A innocent bystanders, eight ' intended victims, and seven”, firemen.