Today marks 20 years since the tragic 2002 Bali bombing, where 202 lives were lost, 88 of them Australians. It was also a moment in time which demonstrated the Northern Territory's resilience and assistance for the survivors of such a horrific incident.
On October 12, 2002 the Bali bombing resulted in 61 injured patients being evacuated to Royal Darwin Hospital.
Darwin is 1765 km from Denpasar, a little more than two hours by air, making RDH the closest tertiary referral facility in Australia for victims of the Bali bombing. Indonesia and the Territory have always been close friends.
Before the first patients arrived from Bali, nearly 600 RDH staff were recalled by telephone cascades and deployed over the next few hours.
From ground staff and cleaners to ED and ICU staff, it was a huge effort that demonstrated incredible team effort.
Support went much wider, from St John Ambulance, the Australian Defence Force, Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Darwin Private Hospital, SA Health and the broader Darwin community were all there, helping to ensure that the best possible outcomes in this horrible tragedy were achieved.
The Bali tragedy led to the establishment of the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre in Darwin which has been busy across the region since 2005 rendering assistance to victims of flood, earthquake, tsunami and disease.
Quotes attributed to Chief Minister and Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles:
"This week we reflect on the 20 years since the Bali bombing. The Territory's swift action saved lives. Territorians stepped up to the plate and helped one of our close neighbours in their time of need.
"Twenty years on, we reflect with deep gratitude to the Darwin Community including the 600 staff from Royal Darwin Hospital who responded to the urgent call to return to work.
"To all those in our community who went above and beyond, and there are so many of you, thank you."
Northern Territory Government
