On 1 October 2005, three young men wearing backpacks walked into restaurants on the Indonesian island of Bali. Moments later, 20 innocent people were dead, more than 100 were injured, and all that was left of the bombers were their heads and feet.
Joe Frost survived the attack. Three people at his table did not.
20 years later, Joe went looking for answers.
Featuring interviews with survivors, experts in terrorism, the AFP's lead investigator, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, and a member of terror network Jemaah Islamiyah, this is the definitive account of the 'other' Bali Bombing.
Check out Australian True Crime on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6qdfc9eJihq4Wj4UglBPIn?si=ba2db11a3de54933), Apple podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/australian-true-crime/id1217681421) or watch the episode on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OWjQFFQb5c).
21 Oct 2025
Noordin's fate - and return to Bali
Episode 8 - season finale
Joe is given something of an explanation as to how he survived the blast - although how isn't the same as why.
In Indonesia, after four years of peace, Noordin Top and his network, al Qaeda for the Malay Archipelago, resurface with devastating consequences.
This time, however, the Indonesian police are determined he will answer for his decade of deadly crimes.
Finally, in the days following the 2005 Bali Bombing, one survivor is determined to make his own humble stand against terrorism.
Episode 8 on our website (https://9point6.com.au/8-return-to-bali)
Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Forgotten.Bombs/).
14 Oct 2025
Costs covered and prices paid
Episode 7
The young man who gave up the whereabouts of Azhari - leading to the bombmaker's death at the hands of Indonesia's police - is put on trial, along with three accomplices. Members of Team Newcastle sit in Denpasar District Court, watching on.
As for Noordin Top, while members of his network are brought to some semblance of justice, be it by judge, jury or executioner, he is to prove far more elusive.
Back in Australia, the survivors face lengthy roads to recovery, with unwelcome detours - as well as unexpected support from the country's new Prime Minister.
Episode 7 on our website (https://9point6.com.au/7%3A-costs-covered)
Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Forgotten.Bombs/).
7 Oct 2025
People who do not know love
Episode 6
In Newcastle, two teenage brothers who lost everything stand strong and put their lives back together, showing courage and wisdom beyond their years.
Back in Bali, the search for those responsible for the bombing ramps up. A grisly piece of evidence - ghoulish photos of the suicide bombers' dismembered heads - leads police to the hideout of one of the most wanted men in Indonesia.
But he won't go down without a fight.
Episode 6 on our website (https://9point6.com.au/6-people-who-do-not)
Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Forgotten.Bombs/).
30 Sept 2025
The morning after the bombing
Episode 5
Joe went to bed on 1 October thinking everyone from Newcastle was going to be OK.
Joe's father, Dr Adam Frost, went to Sanglah Hospital where he discovered that was not the case.
Three people are dead, while many survivors' injuries will be life changing. And that's just the group from Newcastle.
Joe speaks to survivors, the AFP's man in Canberra working to bring them home, and the future Prime Minister of Australia who was on holiday in Bali at the time.
Episode 5 on our website (https://9point6.com.au/5-the-morning-after)
Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Forgotten.Bombs/).
30 Sept 2025
The hotel, the embassy and the other restaurant
Episode 4
Far from being an isolated incident, the 2005 Bali Bombing was part of a campaign of attacks, carried out by a violent splinter cell led by Noordin Top and Azhari Husin, who were following the instructions of Osama bin Laden.
Joe speaks to Nanda Daniel, a survivor of the group's 2004 attack on the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, as well as Terry Fitzgerald - who survived the attack on the other restaurant in Bali in 2005, but who lost one of the most precious people in his life.
Episode 4 on our website (https://9point6.com.au/4-the-other-restaurant)
Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Forgotten.Bombs/).
30 Sept 2025
The most wanted men in Indonesia
Episode 3
In the days following the 2005 Bali Bombing, blame is placed on Jemaah Islamiyah, the terrorist network responsible for the '02 attacks in Bali.
Looking for answers, Joe speaks to a founding member of the network, as well as the Detective Superintendent who led the Australian investigation into the 2005 bombing.
A far more complex picture emerges, traversing the globe from Afghanistan to Guantanamo Bay, and including an enormous terrorist attack targeting Christian churches on Christmas Eve.
Episode 3 on our website (https://9point6.com.au/3-the-most-wanted-men)
Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Forgotten.Bombs/).
23 Sept 2025
Walking through Hell, without any pants
Episode 2
Two bombs have gone off on Jimbaran Beach, the second exploding directly next to the table of friends from Newcastle.
People have been killed, others horrifically wounded.
When Joe Frost comes to, he is face-down in the sand, his ears are ringing, and his legs are on fire.
His night has only just begun.
Episode 2 on our website (https://9point6.com.au/2-walking-through-hell)
Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Forgotten.Bombs/).
17 Sept 2025
The terrorist in my bedroom wardrobe
Episode 1
On October 1, 2005, a group of families from Newcastle, Australia, are enjoying a holiday in Bali. Surfing, swimming and shopping are the plans.
However, they are on an inevitable collision course with another group who are also headed to Indonesia's most famous holiday destination.
The second group also have plans - death and mayhem.
Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Forgotten.Bombs/).
Check out our website (https://9point6.com.au/forgotten-bombs-bali-2005).
12 Sept 2025
Trailer
The definitive story of the Bali Bombing... But not the Bali Bombing you remember.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
59 ratings
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